First lady Peng Liyuan’s English takes the spotlight in exchange with Melania Trump

China's first lady, Peng Liyuan, recently made headlines for her fluent English during a meeting with the US first lady, Melania Trump. During their visit to Washington, the two ladies greeted President Xi Jinping and Peng at Joint Base Andrews. Following their arrival, Peng and Melania spoke directly to each other without the aid of an interpreter, sparking discussion online.

Peng appeared to inquire about Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron, and even raised her hand to indicate his height. The pair continued their conversation for almost a minute, with Peng mouthing the word "wonderful." Peng, a renowned soprano who has traveled internationally to promote Chinese music and culture, has maintained a visible public presence since Xi Jinping took office in 2013.

Her English skills have been noted before, including a 2015 speech at a UN event in New York where she spoke about girls' education and gender equality. The exchange between Peng and Melania has reignited debates in China about the role of English in the country's education system, with some arguing that children should focus on mastering their native language before learning English.