Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan Visit Asian Art Museum
The first ladies of the U.S. and China engaged in cultural diplomacy during a high-profile visit to Washington.
Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan toured the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art on Thursday, engaging in cultural diplomacy during China's first lady's high-profile visit to Washington. The outing, which excluded their husbands, showcased a display of soft power, uniting two figures known for blending style and diplomacy.
The two first ladies visited the Peacock Room, an ornate dining room created by American artist James McNeill Whistler, and viewed Whistler's painting “Princess from the Land of Porcelain.” Crowds gathered outside the museum, many waving Chinese and American flags.
This marked the first public meeting between the two women in nearly a decade. Their interactions are scrutinized for insights into the relationship between their countries, and their fashion choices also draw significant attention. Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, described both women as "professional presenters" likely to be impeccable in their presentation.
Their last joint public appearance was in 2017 during President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing. Melania Trump did not accompany her husband on his earlier visit to China this year.
Peng Liyuan, a renowned soprano before her husband's rise to power, has embraced a more public role than previous Chinese first ladies. She has served as an official antismoking ambassador in China and a World Health Organization goodwill ambassador. She has become more visible internationally following a period of reduced diplomatic travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Melania Trump, who maintains a lower profile, stated in a Fox News interview that the museum visit was intended to showcase "connection with the culture, with us and China."
The National Museum of Asian Art is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. It has recently been involved in efforts to return stolen or unethically obtained objects to their countries of origin, including the return of ancient Chinese manuscript fragments last year.