Fashion face-off set for China, US first ladies Peng Liyuan and Michelle Obama
Both women have been known to use fashion as a "non-verbal diplomatic language", observers say
Both heralded as style icons in their countries and abroad, the first ladies of China and the United States will meet in a fashion face-off as President Xi Jinping and his wife head to the US for his first state visit.
Peng Liyuan , a former military singer, will be in the limelight later today when she accompanies Xi on a visit to Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington state. Pupils will sing In the Field of Hope, one of her most celebrated songs.
Peng has gained prominence abroad, becoming a symbol of "first lady diplomacy" since her husband took up the presidency in 2013.
Apart from accompanying Xi on his overseas trips, she has spoken about HIV/Aids prevention as well as promoted World No Tobacco Day with Microsoft's Bill Gates. She was appointed the World Health Organisation's goodwill ambassador in its campaign against tuberculosis and HIV/Aids in 2012.
Read more: Full coverage of Xi Jinping's US visit
Peng's US counterpart Michelle Obama launched a campaign against childhood obesity in 2010 and has also commented on sensitive issues. Last year, she was the first presidential wife to make a trip to China without her husband.