Soft power on display as China’s first lady Peng Liyuan hosts German counterpart

Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan hosted her German counterpart, Elke Budenbender, in a tea reception in Beijing on Friday. The event aimed to highlight China's soft power and strengthen bilateral relations. Peng highlighted the existing cooperation between the two nations in sectors like education and culture, expressing hope for increased mutual understanding and people-to-people connections.

Budenbender, in return, pledged her commitment to advancing women's and children's rights and deepening people-to-people ties. The meeting took place as Chinese President Xi Jinping and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier engaged in talks at the Great Hall of the People, with Xi urging Berlin to adopt a reasonable, pragmatic, and friendly approach towards Beijing.

Over the past year, Xi has hosted fewer overseas state visits compared to previous years, opting instead to receive foreign leaders in Beijing, indicative of a "home-court" diplomacy approach. Peng, who has limited media appearances recently, has utilized her infrequent visits to promote health, welfare, and cultural exchanges. She recently hosted counterparts from South Korea, Vietnam, and Serbia, showcasing China's soft power through these engagements.

On Friday, Peng donned a navy blue Chinese-style gown, while Budenbender wore a red midi dress, both reflecting traditional Chinese aesthetics. The tea reception was adorned with traditional floral arrangements and porcelain vases, setting the stage for the diplomatic engagement. The German leaders were in China as part of their first visit since 2018, during which Xi and then Chancellor Angela Merkel attended a panda enclosure opening at the Berlin Zoo.

Xi and Peng previously visited Germany in 2017, where they inaugurated a panda enclosure at Berlin Zoo and watched a youth football match between the two countries.