Peng Liyuan
Peng Liyuan (Chinese: 彭丽媛; pinyin: Péng Lìyuán; born 20 November 1962) is a Chinese contemporary folk singer and the spouse of Xi Jinping, current General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of the People's Republic of China.
Peng Liyuan | |
|---|---|
彭丽媛 | |
Peng in 2013 | |
| Spouse of the Paramount Leader of China | |
| Assumed role 15 November 2012 | |
| General Secretary | Xi Jinping |
| Preceded by | Liu Yongqing |
| Spouse of the President of China | |
| Assumed role 14 March 2013 | |
| President | Xi Jinping |
| Preceded by | Liu Yongqing |
| President of the People's Liberation Army Academy of Art | |
| In office May 2012 – July 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Zhang Jigang |
| Succeeded by | Zhang Qichao |
| Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (9th, 10th, 11th) | |
| In office February 1998 – March 2013 | |
| Chairman | Li Ruihuan Jia Qinglin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 November 1962 Yuncheng County, Shandong, China |
| Political party | Chinese Communist Party |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Xi Mingze |
| Alma mater | China Conservatory of Music |
| Occupation | Singer, Professor of vocal music |
| Profession | Soprano and (first holder of a master's degree in) "Chinese ethnic vocal music" (中国民族声乐) |
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | China |
| Branch/service | People's Liberation Army |
| Years of service | 1980–2017 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands | People's Liberation Army Academy of Art |
Peng gained popularity as a singer from her regular appearances on the annual CCTV New Year's Gala, a widely viewed Chinese television program that airs during the Chinese New Year. She won honors in singing competitions nationwide. Her most famous singles include《父老乡亲》("People from Our Village"),《珠穆朗玛》("Zhumulangma"), and《在希望的田野上》("In the Field of Hope"). Peng also sang the theme songs of several popular TV series, such as The Water Margin (1998). She also starred in musical productions. In 1986, she received the Plum Blossom Award, China's highest theatrical award, for her lead role in The White Haired Girl. She was the president of then People's Liberation Army Academy of Art between 2012 and 2017, and vice president of the All-China Youth Federation between 2005 and 2010. Peng was a civilian member of the People's Liberation Army and held the civilian rank equivalent to Major General before she was appointed the Art Academy's dean, upon which she was given the formal rank.
She is known within China for her fashion sense, credited to her personal couturier Ma Ke. In 2014, Peng was listed as the 57th Most Powerful Woman in the World by Forbes.