Pitch perfect cultural diplomacy wins heart of China’s first lady Peng Liyuan
Por Caroline Lin — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement 2026 Xi-Trump summits China Diplomacy Pitch perfect cultural diplomacy wins heart of China’s first lady Peng Liyuan
Young singers’ rendition of beloved folk song ‘Jasmine Flower’ evokes warm reaction from the renowned soprano during Smithsonian visit
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Caroline Lin Published: 12:43pm, 25 Sep 2026 Updated: 12:43pm, 25 Sep 2026 While their husbands held talks at the White House, Melania Trump hosted Peng Liyuan at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art on Thursday, where the famed Chinese soprano softly hummed along to a youth choir’s performance of a familiar classic.
Footage shows the Hope Chinese School youth choir waving Chinese and American national flags during their rendition of the song “Jasmine Flower”, while Peng watches with a smile, her lips moving along to the lyrics.
01:09 Melania Trump, Peng Liyuan visit Smithsonian museum during Xi’s US state visit
As the performance ends, she turns to her US counterpart and smiles, while placing a hand to her heart, visibly moved. The two first ladies applaud the children, with Peng calling out “bravo”.
The iconic Chinese folk song, also known as “Mo Li Hua”, has long been part of Peng’s repertoire.
As a celebrated soprano with the People’s Liberation Army, she has sung it on numerous major occasions, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics one-year countdown celebration at Tiananmen Square.
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