Go Green: The Chinese first lady's style screams brotherhood
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China's first lady Peng Liyuan may not be as flamboyant as Modi when it comes to her attire but there's no doubt she chooses her clothes with care.
During Chinese president Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan, the first lady made a decisive statement about Pak-China relations through her attire — and the statement seems to be: go green!
As the presidential couple arrived in Pakistan, Peng Liyuan chose to wear a plain white jacket over a deep green dress with a light green scarf to go with it, accessorized with a brooch. The look was very Benazir, minus the shoulder pads and headscarf.
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Sporting pulled-back hair, Liyuan's choice of colours reflected the spirit behind this breakthrough visit between the two states.
The first lady drove the point home by wearing another green outfit later, as she accompanied her husband to see a cultural show with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his wife Kulsoom Nawaz, Asif Ali Zardari and his daughter Asifa.
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| Attending the cultural show—Photo courtesy: Maryam Nawaz's Twitter account. |
Green seemed the colour of the moment as Liyuan chose to wear another green outfit today, at the Presidency.
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| China's first lady Peng Liyuan at the Presidency. |
Liyuan wasn't the only figure who let her outfit match her sentiments on this diplomatic tour. Pakistani federal minister Ahsan Iqbal sported a green tie as China's first couple arrived, and later, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq wore one too.
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| Ahsan Iqbal (L) and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq (R) wear green ties. |
Amid all this patriotism, Pakistan's leading ladies disappointed. Kulsoom Nawaz was mostly seen in drab shades of pink and beige — surely something brighter would've signified solidarity more effectively.
Liyuan is probably the most high-profile political spouse in China after revolutionary leader Mao Zedong's wife. This isn't the first time Liyuan's style has been analysed — she's developed her own signature style for state visits and has attracted attention for it.
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| China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane as he takes part in the G-20 Summit—AFP |
But it seems that she is quite fond of dark shades especially black and blue.
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| On her visit to Russia.— Photo courtesy: Huffington Post |
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| With US first lady Michelle Obama.—Photo courtesy: scmp.com |
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| French President Francois Hollande greets President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan at the Elysee.—Photo courtesy: scmp.com |
Peng married Chinese president Xi Jinping in 1987, and has been ranked 57th in Forbes's list of the world's most powerful women last year.
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Comments (60) Closed
Apr 21, 2015 04:28pm
That is wonderful of her. It shows her and China's considerateness towards Pakistan. Unlike Michelle Obama who went to Saudi Arabia without covering her head - showing her upperhanded attitude in herself and of her country.
Thank you Lady Peng Liyuan.
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Apr 21, 2015 04:40pm
She looks graceful in Pakistani colour.
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Apr 21, 2015 05:02pm
The selection of color reflects, the LOVE we share with each other, What makes us so close to each other is the same LOVE. People of Pakistan would like to thank you for the honor you gave us, apart from the economic package. We also missed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at this event. Had she been alive and present at the occasion the result of this visit and friendship would have been more different.
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Apr 21, 2015 05:04pm
Give a little respect and receive a lot in return. Always the case for those who understand.
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Apr 21, 2015 05:06pm
Thank you Maddam, for giving us honor. We love they way you walk, the way you dress and the way you extend your warm wishes for the people of Pakistan.
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Apr 21, 2015 05:12pm
Her move surprised me, this showed the love we do have in comon for each other. Some neighbor were estimating the size of and worth of package President of China bring for us. My answer would be look here, Love can nor be calculated nor can be weighed.
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Apr 21, 2015 05:25pm
@Sara Mushtaq countries do not share love, they share interests. Don't be emotional...
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Apr 21, 2015 05:31pm
On her arrival she had Pakistani flag colors with dual meaning of going green on energy.
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Apr 21, 2015 05:31pm
She should urge her husband to give freedom to Muslims in china too, just wearing green dress does not help Muslims in china.
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Apr 21, 2015 05:45pm
Even if this was driven by good business/political sense. It showed respect and friendship towards a much smaller nation.
A gesture that is definitely going to win hearts and minds here ! I for one consider in better light than I did yesterday , just for this friendly gesture.
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Apr 21, 2015 05:52pm
Also PM Nawaz Sharif wore a bright red tie today to show solidarity
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Apr 21, 2015 06:13pm
Lady showed great solidarity with Pakistan by wearing green color.
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Apr 21, 2015 06:17pm
That's the first thing I noticed about her when she appeared from the air craft.
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Apr 21, 2015 06:59pm
well, a very positive gesture to begin with. This shows the strength and depth of pak-china relationship.
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Apr 21, 2015 07:03pm
Please don't compare her with Modi. Mr.Modi is a tasteless person, attire wise.
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Apr 21, 2015 07:13pm
That's for all the greenbacks they will be doling out.
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Apr 21, 2015 07:30pm
thank you for your business. Guys the investment is a win win for both and is for mutual benefits and understanding so chill.
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Apr 21, 2015 08:25pm
@Ali (CA) seems like win win for Punjab not all Pakistan. The road will go thorough Lahore which does not make any sense.
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Apr 21, 2015 08:33pm
Very graceful.
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Apr 21, 2015 08:37pm
What a graceful lady and her outfit.
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Apr 21, 2015 08:41pm
@Sayyar Khan
it makes sense as Lahore is one of the biggest industrial city after Karachi.
the road passes through Pakistan not just Lahore
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Apr 21, 2015 08:43pm
A graceful lady of Gracious country, best analysis for her in the Dawn Media, system of Governance is not like Pakistan, in communism, man's talent is elected through trial of expertise, tribulation brings with selected efforts through time. Sham democracy in Pakistan with rigging election and money power turn it into corrupt governance. trust deficit further engulf it family empire, four figures of Sharif's family were highlighted into group photos' what is it? It is very proverbial sayings, grand father plants and grand son yields its fruits. ZA Bhutto was the person who had sowed the seeds of friendship and introduced the China in the world comity as President Xi of China said while addressing parliament, who is getting the crops output, it is the person who has no contribution on his credit.
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Apr 21, 2015 08:45pm
Nice gesture from her...
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Apr 21, 2015 09:13pm
@Sara Mushtaq
"We also missed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at this event".
Very true and it is the culmination today of the same saga that several decades ago had been initiated by the Shaheed Mohtarma's illustrious father, a visionary politician of high caliber, who opened doors of friendship to China and helped bring China and U.S.A close to each other as trading partners instead of adversaries.
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Apr 21, 2015 09:22pm
@Umer
Michelle did the right thing.
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Apr 21, 2015 09:50pm
Welcome to pak first lady and mr President.
I'm shocked to see Zardari even in this news.
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Apr 21, 2015 09:50pm
@Abbas Ali
Care to explain your comment?
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Apr 21, 2015 10:17pm
@cmvt
True - countries share interests, but it can done with arrogance or class. Chinese first lady showed lot of class.
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Apr 21, 2015 10:18pm
Don't be fooled by these trivial Chinese overtures. On a long term, India can be a more trustful partner.
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Apr 21, 2015 10:30pm
Ironically that color is banned in north west China.
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Apr 21, 2015 10:40pm
she looks beautiful she seems like a very nice lady.
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Apr 21, 2015 11:00pm
Graceful lady....
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Apr 21, 2015 11:28pm
@Asad Ali
i am happy for this financial support, atlest pak will utilized this amount for development, pakisthan had got lots of money from america but not for development only for terror, now chaina helping with condition because then need security of their investment,,,so there need to take an action for peace, no more laden, no more,,,, mad ppl,,, atleast pakisthan have to be gentleman ,,and we want to deal with gentleman
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Apr 21, 2015 11:33pm
I must commend Chinese on their attitude and humility. The way Chinese have given respect to Pakistan is matchless. This gives true reflection of friendship on equal footing. Friends not masters. US should learn!
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Apr 21, 2015 11:36pm
She is beautiful with elegant style.
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Apr 22, 2015 12:01am
The love she showed towards us with this gesture cannot be justified with words!
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Apr 22, 2015 12:29am
@bayravin "On a long term, India can be a more trustful partner." Are you joking? India has had 68 years to show how trustful it is. And what makes you think China is not trust worthy?
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Apr 22, 2015 12:45am
I personally feel that she was wearing Pakistani colors to show solidariry.
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Apr 22, 2015 01:15am
Obsessed!
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Apr 22, 2015 01:36am
Decent lady, no doubt.
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Apr 22, 2015 01:47am
Most of you obviously are unknown to the fact how Chinese operate, they woo you when they need you. THAT is how they blind side you, but its ok, whatever reason you can find to rejoice yourself, good for you.
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Apr 22, 2015 01:51am
President Xi and his First Lady are about the most graceful president and First Lady of any nation present today. They have such poise and style. I'm smitten. God bless them both.
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Apr 22, 2015 02:35am
Chinese women love fashion. Go there and see.
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Apr 22, 2015 02:37am
@Umer I support Michelle on what she did. Why shall she change for a backward and suppressive culture of the Saudis. Women are equal and more than men. If a man dies, children lose one parent but if the woman dies, both parents are lost. I am really baffled by 106 likes on your comments. It seems the majority is voting for Chinese first lady's understanding of Pakistan's favoured color. But if she had come with veil, I would have been the first person to talk against that. She has respected our national color and not fallen into trap of pleasing the fundamentalists and women bashers.
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Apr 22, 2015 02:45am
@Sara Mushtaq
Pakistanis are always in a competition. That is your mind set.
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Apr 22, 2015 02:59am
@Sayyar Khan
It makes sense to me. Punjab is the heartland. Why should all business be run from Islamabad? Why should cargo shipments from China be stolen in Karachi?
Punjab and upper Sindh produce the food and fiber China wants to buy. The farmers are supposed to take food shipments to Karachi by bullock cart? Even the trucks get stuck trying to drive through that city.
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Apr 22, 2015 03:05am
Please don't compare Modi's suit with Chinese First Lady. Modi wore a suit with his own name written all over it, a very strange choice compared to a subtle message reflected in the first lady's choice of green and white dress.
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Apr 22, 2015 03:09am
@Sayyar Khan So? The road will go through Lahore not to Lahore and Lahore is in Pakistan not in Russia. BTW I am not from Lahore.
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Apr 22, 2015 03:26am
@bayravin ... prove it one single time where you supported or stood behind us as friends ?
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Apr 22, 2015 04:39am
@bayravin Good Joke
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Apr 22, 2015 08:09am
She looks lovely.
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Apr 22, 2015 08:26am
The Chinese first lady looks very good in all her outfits. But What is it with the American first lady, that is the most unflattering dress I have seen her wearing, she is usually one of the best dressed. It might just be that particular picture.
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Apr 22, 2015 08:55am
All “WAKE UP”, they just need to take hold on the resources of Pakistan.
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Apr 22, 2015 09:06am
Brotherhood? Better and politically correct words could have been Solidarity, Friendship
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Apr 22, 2015 11:36am
Lady Peng Liyuan got ready herself visit to Pakistan. She is looking very nice.
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Apr 22, 2015 07:13pm
@cmvt
True to a very great extent, but countries comprise people and love transcends all.
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Apr 23, 2015 10:29am
China has a rich culture and dress sense has zoomed upward as their economic performance.No doubt both husband and wife were in befitting and decent dress.
They were well aware of Pakistan's preference for green as they were on a serious
business and diplomatic visit.And to avoid any fuss as talked of elsewhere for no
rhyme and reason.It is gratifying visit resulted fruitful and peaceful.
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Apr 23, 2015 03:09pm
@jagmohan - Nicely said!
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Apr 23, 2015 06:24pm
She wasn't wearing just green but Green with a white scarf - representing Jinnah's visions of Pakistan - a Land representative of all its people. Sadly, we, Pakistanis, always seem to forget (or choose to ignore) this.
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Apr 23, 2015 08:29pm
Reflects the precise planning and understanding of our culture, and at least somebody from Pakistan state representative would've done the same by sharing "Red Chinese National color " , but the presence of Asif Zardari sitting next to Nawaz Sharif , explains everything!
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