Today, 31 years later, Peng’s glamorous appearance has stolen the limelight again, both internationally and nationally. On 30 March, she and her husband, President Xi Jinping, completed their first visit abroad, a nine-day trip to Russia, Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of the Congo. Pictures of Peng went viral as soon as she and her husband stepped out of their private plane in Moscow on 22 March. Her stylish clothes, scarves and handbags, all of which are designed and made in China, have made her into a fashion icon. Domestic and international media have enthusiastically referred to her as China’s Michelle Obama.

Peng’s chic appearance is a clear departure from her low-profile predecessors. The attention she has garnered has made her a valuable repository of Chinese soft power. Cao Lin, a columnist for China Youth Daily, argues that Peng’s capacity to show the world a modern, mature and transparent China reflects her ‘she’ power (ta shili, which sounds uncannily like her husband’s surname Xi when translated into English) — a force that is softer than soft power, and smarter than smart power. Domestic commentators also praise her for having demystified the private life of the president and boosted China’s cultural confidence. ‘It’s the first time that China’s first lady appears like a modern woman’, said Zhang Yu, editor of China’s Vogue magazine. ‘After so many years, we finally have a first lady who can represent us so appropriately. I think it is a landmark event’.

But Peng is not the only first lady from greater China to project ‘she’ power. Soong Ching-ling — the first lady of the first president and founding father of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen — and her sister Soong May-ling, the first lady of Chiang Kai-shek, were both famous for their charisma, grace and leadership in diplomacy and politics.

Like the Soong sisters, Peng Liyuan is no stranger to politics. She joined the People’s Liberation Army in 1980 when she was 18 and holds a civilian rank that is equivalent to major general. It is not uncommon for her to perform on television in her army uniform. She was also a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, an important political advisory body.

However, unlike the Soong sisters, who came from an elite background, much of Peng’s appeal stems from her relatively humble origins and reputation for humility. Born into an ordinary family, Peng left her hometown at the age of 14 to study at the Shandong College of Arts, and later became the first person in China to obtain a Master’s degree in traditional ethnic music. And despite her fame, Peng is known for being down to earth. There are stories of her going to the local markets to do her grocery shopping.

Another aspect of Peng’s ‘she’ power is her somewhat ‘maternal’ leadership style as a champion of health and humanitarian causes. Since 2007, when Xi was first identified as Hu Jintao’s likely successor, Peng has been groomed to become the first lady. She started to give fewer performances, but started to do more charity work. During the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, Peng performed in the affected areas. Peng and her then 16-year-old daughter, Xi Mingze, went to Han Wang Dong Qi Primary School in Sichuan as volunteers. Mingze told her mother: ‘The people here are so kind and so strong. The students are so nice’. Peng said: ‘Write down their names and phone numbers so that you can contact them when they need help’. Peng’s maternal side was also on display during her first visit abroad as first lady, when during her visit to a boarding school for orphans in Moscow, she said that she was there to represent ‘hundreds of thousands of mothers in China’. Peng is also a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and China’s anti-smoking ambassador.

As an inspirational artist deeply loved by the Chinese people, Peng’s influence on China’s future may surpass that of the Soong sisters. She will play a significant role, not only in presenting a modern and charming diplomatic image internationally, but also in softening the CCP’s image domestically. At present, she appears to have ignited a spark that confirms China’s place as a land built on the ‘plains of hope’.

Delia Lin is a Lecturer at the Centre for Asian Studies, University of Adelaide.