Xi Jinping’s wife, Peng Liyuan, to add a dash of glamour to Hong Kong visit
The soprano has visited the city several times and sang at handover anniversary events in 2004 and 2007
The well-known soprano has performed at two previous celebrations – in 2004 and 2007.
At the 2004 concert held for the seventh anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, she sang the famous tune My Motherland, a moving tale of a Chinese soldier fighting for his country and pining for his home and family.
Peng and other famous singers like Song Zuying and Yan Weiwen joined hands with 400 PLA artists for the gala at the Hong Kong Coliseum. After the show, then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa went on stage to thank the performers and said: “I hope you can come every year to encourage us.”
In 2007, she also performed at the anniversary show, singing Hong Kong’s Night with Moonlight, a tune with lyrics expressing a desire for national unity.
“People say blood is thicker than water, we treasure the sweetness of being together,” the song went. “We praise the full moon in Hong Kong.”
In 1999, Peng, a singer who seldom gives interviews, featured in a rare talk show on Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV. Asked by host Dou Wentao whether her then lesser-known husband would always be introduced as Peng Liyuan’s spouse, she replied coolly: “If you marry someone who has a successful career, is very ambitious and is excellent and who can master you, then [people] won’t think that way.”
Dou pressed her on whether she had found a successful person.
“I feel you don’t need to ask me this question,” Peng said. “I have been married to him for more than 10 years. You just think, [he] must be successful. That’s why I am filled with happiness.”
