Something new and sparkling has been added to China's image - the charm of feminine "soft power" in the vivacious personage of Peng Liyuan, wife of newly elected President Xi Jinping. Her gracious charms were an outstanding feature of Xi's triumphant visits to Moscow and Africa, with China's "First Couple" bursting out of international obscurity to literally sweep all before them.

The striking good looks, sparkling personality and fashion sense of Peng has suddenly thrust her under the spotlight of an international stage shaped by fashion and glamour. The United States has Michelle Obama and Britain Princess Kate, but now China's First Lady has fashionistas agog with her captivating looks and personality combined with her smart yet elegant costumes and accessories. Furthermore, by snubbing overpriced French and Italian haute couture and opting instead for Chinese-made and designed clothes and accessories, she has set an excellent example to the fashion-conscious females of China about the unique Oriental appeal of local fashionwear - and at a far lower price.

Zhang Yu, editor of China's Vogue magazine, said: "It's the first time China's First Lady appears like a modern woman. She dresses very well, with taste and confidence. After so many years we finally have a First Lady who can represent us so appropriately. It is a landmark event." A headline in a China News Service commentary added, "Peng Liyuan: Let the world appreciate the beauty of China."

The First Lady unswervingly bought local products when choosing her costumes and accessories for the couple's hectic program of engagements. Fashion-conscious females all over China have since been magnifying on their computers images of those outfits plus her handbags, watches and even ear-rings, then swooping on various Chinese designer outlets and jewelers to clear the shelves of all items of similar appearance, especially coats, jackets, scarves and bags.

In particular, the Guangdong-based brand Exception with 60 outlets across China found itself virtually under siege from shoppers as words spread that it was Peng Liyuan's favorite label and the maker of her most eye-catching clothes.

The vivacious First Lady, like her husband, has had a remarkable career, and until a few years ago was better known throughout China than Xi Jinping because of her fame as a vibrant soprano specializing in patriotic and classic folk songs. In fact, as Xi rose to prominence, she has tried to downplay her career, appearing in public much less frequently in recent years. Her reticence became more pronounced after a sarcastic joke took hold among her fans: "Who is this Xi Jinping?" "Oh, he's the husband of Peng Liyuan."

In a rare public comment on her husband she told a State-owned magazine some years ago: "When he comes home I've never thought of it as though there's some leader in the house. In my eyes he's just my husband. When I get home he doesn't think of me as some famous star - in his eyes, I'm simply his wife."

Born in Shandong province, she joined the People's Liberation Army at 18 as a civilian member and soon established herself as a magnetic performer at military concerts. Peng so impressed her superiors that in her 20s she was sent to the Chinese Conservatory of Music to add depth and polish to her presentations. Her talent blossomed and she graduated with a Master's degree in ethnic music and, thanks to performances on national TV, became an acclaimed honey-voiced megastar with tens of millions of fans, especially among Chinese women. Quite extraordinarily, she now holds the rank of major general.

Peng's trademarks include her youthful looks, long, swept-back hair and stirring renditions of such favorites as People from Our Village and On the Plains of Hope. But the attractive facade could not hide an obviously very bright mind which will no doubt spearhead a refreshing new kind of soft power that promises to reflect very well on China.

The ethnic music that she sings so joyously was the bond that drew her together in the 80s with Xi, who was familiar with many folk songs because of the peasant's life he had experienced for six years from the age of 13, living among cave-dwelling peasants in Shaanxi province.

The author is vice-chairman and secretary-general of China Energy Fund Committee, a think tank on energy and China-related issues.

(HK Edition 04/10/2013 page9)