China’s first lady Peng Liyuan charms young Hong Kong opera performers during visit to Xiqu Centre
- She watched Cantonese opera rehearsals and had ‘warm chats with the actors and members of the performance troupe’
- Peng praised young performers for being ‘professional’ after watching their display
China’s first lady Peng Liyuan charmed young Hong Kong performers during a visit to the city’s complex for Chinese theatre on Thursday, where she was also treated to a brief Cantonese opera show.
An accomplished folk singer and a household name in mainland China, Peng visited the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District while her husband, President Xi Jinping, met the city’s political elites, including outgoing leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, on the other side of the harbour.
Peng’s visit, which was not officially confirmed until after it ended, formed an integral part of Xi’s tour of Hong Kong to inspect the city government’s work on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule.
According to Naomi Chung, the district’s performing arts head, Peng showed great interest in the history of Cantonese opera and sympathised with the tough discipline and commitment that the young artists had shown to their craft.
“Peng watched the rehearsal of the Cantonese opera excerpts by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe at the Tea House of the Xiqu Centre and the rehearsal of the Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble at the studio,” a statement released by the Hong Kong government said.
“She also had warm chats with the actors and members of the performance troupe.”
A video clip released by the government showed Peng praising the troupe’s young actors for being “professional” after watching their performance.
“One minute on the stage needs 10 years of practice offstage. Your performance is very professional and very good,” she said.
With the support of the central government, Cantonese opera was inscribed in 2009 on the United Nations’ intangible cultural heritage list.
Peng was also shown in the video chatting with several young volunteers who had done internships at the Palace Museum in Beijing, saying: “I am grateful to see your love for Chinese culture.”
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At the centre, Peng viewed an exhibition on late Cantonese opera legend Yau Sing-po, one of the most highly respected and acclaimed performers in modern times. He died last year at the age of 87.
Peng also presented a collection of traditional Chinese theatre librettos as a gift to the centre.
“The compilation of the collection was initiated by the late well-known literary historian Zheng Zhenduo and took several decades to complete. It has important historical and artistic value and represents a major achievement in safeguarding the national cultural heritage of traditional Chinese theatre,” the statement said.
The first lady’s visit lasted for about 45 minutes, during which reporters were assigned a designated zone opposite the Xiqu Centre to take pictures of Peng’s convoy as it passed by.
The area around the West Kowloon high-speed railway terminus, which is a stone’s throw away from the centre, had been put under lockdown hours before Peng and Xi arrived by special train. Throughout the day, access to the arts district was limited as it was surrounded by a heavy police presence.
According to a notice posted on the West Kowloon Cultural District’s website, Xiqu Centre is closed from Monday until July 1 “due to operational matters”.
Among the well-wishers hoping to catch a glimpse of Peng and Xi was a construction worker surnamed Fong.
“Everyone wants to see the president of the country … even seeing his shadow would be good,” Fong said, adding he was excited about the visit.
“The Chinese president has always supported Hong Kong … I can feel that he has not forgotten Hong Kong.”
Fong said he believed the mainland had taken great care of the city, adding that “Hong Kong has faced so many issues in the past two years, especially with the pandemic. I hope Hong Kong will forever be prosperous and stable”.
Peng’s fashion sense did not go unnoticed despite the visit to the centre not being officially confirmed until after it ended.
“The first lady has always been very iconic in her dress fashion,” said Julie Liu, a renowned local qipao designer. “Her choice of qipao is very safe in terms of colour and silhouette, and appropriate for today’s arrival in Hong Kong and Carrie Lam’s last day [in office].”
Liu said the big buttons on Peng’s qipao were “unique and a modern take on the traditional buttons” as they were “slightly more casual” than the usual ornamental frog fasteners.
“I also like the relaxed silhouette that is slightly looser than that of a traditional qipao. The waistline helps accentuate her body shape. She matched it with basic grey pumps to keep the look simple and elegant,” Liu added.
Peng last came to Hong Kong with Xi in 2017 for the 20th anniversary of the handover. At that time, Xiqu Centre was still being built, with Peng making solo visits to a kindergarten and a home for the elderly.
