Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, turned diplomat-in-chief this week as she welcomed spouses of leaders attending the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit to a scenic tour along Tianjin's Haihe River. The event blended cultural charm with cross-border camaraderie, offering a fresh take on soft-power diplomacy.
💐 Smiles and handshakes set the tone as Peng greeted her international guests at the riverside pier. Local children serenaded the group with cheerful songs, waving Chinese flags alongside those of SCO member states—a colorful symbol of unity in diversity.
🚢 The Haihe River cruise showcased Tianjin's unique blend of colonial-era architecture and modern skyscrapers, with Peng highlighting the port city's role as a historical gateway for global exchange. 'This isn't just a river—it's an artery of history and modernity,' one attendee later remarked.
📸 The tour culminated in a group photo that's already going viral on Chinese social media, dubbed by netizens as '#DiplomacyWithFloralVibes.' While no policy discussions occurred, observers note such cultural exchanges often plant seeds for future international collaboration.
