A shot in the arm for 'lady diplomacy'

Being a professor of English language and literature in a university, Cheng can understand the subtleties of trans-cultural exchanges. And her erudition and knowledge can add an academic color to China's public diplomacy.

Peng Liyuan has already made a great impression on the countries that she has visited with her husband. As a famous singer, Peng is known for her elegance, immaculate dressing sense and amiable demeanor. Peng's participation in public service activities-she visited an orphans' school in Russia and gifted presents to the Women and Development Foundation in Tanzania in 2013-has been appreciated by all and sundry. She has even come to symbolize Chinese-style fashion, called "Liyuan style", which has helped promote Chinese brands.

Cheng, on her part, could use her social understanding and expertise in literature to add a new dimension to China's public diplomacy by facilitating better and deeper conversations in social and cultural matters with women of other countries.

Considering the overwhelming influence of globalization on the world economy and global cultures, an increasing number of countries are engaging both in interactions of interests and clash of opinions. A good national image can enhance the economic, political and cultural standing of a country. And when a national leader pays a visit to another country with his wife, he not only helps remove the veil of mystery associated with a society and its culture, but also establishes a harmonious relationship between the peoples of the two countries.

By and large, "lady diplomacy" is a reflection of the developing public diplomacy, and its power is largely related to media coverage and public attention.

The author is a research scholar in international studies at Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy.

(China Daily 05/08/2014 page9)