Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping and a well-known soprano, received an honorary doctorate from New York's Juilliard School at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing on Dec 6, according to the official website of the conservatory.

Peng Liyuan has captured the hearts of the Chinese domestic audience as an artist and as a political figure. She is crucial to strengthening the positive image of the Chinese government. But China needs more than just another fashion icon. When conducted by a charismatic figure like Peng Liyuan, promoting female political participation would further elevate China’s soft power.

First Lady Michelle Obama’s trip to China highlights the need to build-upon people-to-people exchanges to increase cross-cultural understanding between students in China and the United States. As Tom Watkins explains, two important initiatives are hoping to increase these types of exchanges through study abroad opportunities.

With Michelle Obama’s six-day visit to China, China’s first lady is inviting special attention as the country actively courts international public opinion, writes Jay Wang.