First lady Peng has to blaze her own trail on world stage, pundits say

First lady Peng Liyuan may have inspired Chinese internet users during her maiden overseas trip with President Xi Jinping, but it is too early to conclude whether she can become a diplomatic star or help foster China's soft power.

Some political observers say that when it comes to being first lady, Peng, a popular folk singer, is still learning the ropes.

"China has failed to build up a culture or even a definition for the country's first lady since the Communist Party established its regime [in 1949]," said Zhang Lifan, a Beijing-based historian.

"Peng needs to blaze a trail and find a balance between her personality and how to be a proper first lady in the Chinese communist culture. She couldn't find any examples from her predecessors."

Among China's former first ladies since 1949, only Liu Shaoqi's wife, Wang Guangmei, impressed during her overseas visits. But Mao Zedong's actress wife, Jiang Qing, was notorious for her unrealistic ambitions. Other first ladies were an enigma to the world.

"Peng couldn't find a precedent in Wang nor Jiang because the communist culture doesn't encourage officials to show their humanity. This could be seen in Xi and Peng's nervous and conservative behaviour during their Russia trip," Zhang said, adding that he was disappointed with their limited interaction in their first joint appearance in public.