China’s First Lady Peng Liyuan Welcomes SCO Leaders’ Families on Tianjin River

On 1 September, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, invited the spouses and relatives of foreign leaders to a cultural outing in Tianjin on Monday.

The gesture aimed at showcasing China’s heritage during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit.

A Festive Start at the Pier

Peng greeted each guest with a handshake before they posed for photos on the Haihe River pier.

The welcome turned lively when children waved flags and sang Waiting for You in Tianjin, giving the visitors a warm start to the afternoon.

Cruise on the Haihe

The group boarded a boat for a river tour, where they learned about Tianjin’s role as both a historic trading hub and a modern port city.

Over tea and music from the sanxian, a traditional three-stringed instrument, Peng spoke of the Haihe as a river that has witnessed cultural exchange for centuries.

Guests and Impressions

Among the attendees were spouses of leaders from Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Armenia, Nepal, Egypt, and Malaysia, as well as the daughter of Iran’s president.

Several praised China’s cultural traditions and highlighted the country’s modernization achievements.

Diplomacy Beyond the Summit Hall

The SCO Summit itself focused on regional security and economic cooperation.

On the same day, Xi introduced a Global Governance Initiative, calling for fairer international systems based on dialogue and respect. The river cruise, while symbolic, underscored China’s emphasis on building personal ties alongside official negotiations.

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Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Monday invited the spouses of foreign leaders attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 for a tour along the Haihe River in Tianjin. #China #SCO #Tianjin #Haihe #rivertour

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