Chinese First Lady charms Delhi students with her singing skills

China's First Lady Peng Liyuan had a message for the students she interacted with at a south Delhi school on Thursday. Peng, who is married to Chinese President Xi Jinping for over 25 years, is in India with her husband on an official trip.

China's First Lady Peng Liyuan had a message for the students she interacted with at a south Delhi school on Thursday.

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Peng, who is married to Chinese President Xi Jinping for over 25 years, is in India with her husband on an official trip.

"Keep working hard so you can contribute to your country," Peng told the students of Tagore International School.

During her 45-minute visit, 51-year-old Peng, who is also a renowned singer, shared some personal glimpses of her life with the students, leaving a lasting impression on the young minds.

"I started learning calligraphy when I was young and as little as five years old. I was instructed by my father," she said while applauding the students’ yoga act.

The First Lady floored everyone by singing along with the students who sang a popular Chinese folk song.

"While we were singing, she joined us and started humming," said Pihu Bharadwaj, a student.

"She said that she knew the song and it was very popular back in China," said principal Meenakshi Sen.

Tagore International School and its partner school Jinyuan Senior High School in Shanghai jointly performed Tai-chi, a traditional Chinese martial art, and yoga through video-link during Peng’s visit.

"We have been practising with the Chinese students over the last two weeks for this visit," said 13-year-old Fabian Makhdoomi, a Class 8 student.

Peng also gave the school gifts that included some Chinese story books. The school presented Peng her portrait made by Class 9 student Aradhika Chakraborty.

"She is so pretty," said the 16-year-old Chakraborty about Peng, who is known to be a style icon in China.

The other students too gushed over the visiting First Lady including 11-year-old Prabhjot Singh. Singh has not stopped smiling after getting a peck on the cheek from her.

"Ma’am, I gave three interviews because of the peck," a blushing Singh told his principal.

"So do not wash your cheek," Sen said in a lighter vein.

"The interaction which she (Peng) had with us has left a very good impression on us. Both nations should work together and have cordial relations," said 17-year-old Prateek Arora, a Class 12 student.

Peng is actively involved in politics and is a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Peng, who has been listed as this year's as the 57th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes also had words of appreciation for Indian women.

"She (Peng) told me that she had a lot of respect for Indian women. They are beautiful, hard-working and can keep the family together," said principal Sen.

Peng left a handwritten message for the students with her stamp on it.

"It is my genuine wish that our dear students who are here today should keep learning and working hard so you can contribute to your country. It is important to lay a solid foundation in terms of knowledge base since one is young," she said.


(With PTI inputs)