Does Peng Liyuan Still Have Her Former Glory?

Wife of CCP leader Xi Jinping, Peng Liyuan. (Photo by Jorg Sarbach - Pool/Getty Images)

[People News] December 1 is the 38th “World AIDS Day.” According to a report published that day by the WeChat public account “Women’s Voice of the All-China Women’s Federation,” World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Peng Liyuan recently attended the 2025 World AIDS Day themed publicity event at the Xicheng District Cultural Center in Beijing. Attendees included Shen Hongbing, Deputy Director of the National Health Commission and Director of the National Disease Control Bureau; Sun Junmin, Standing Committee Member of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee and Minister of the Propaganda Department; and Margaret Chan, Standing Committee Member of the CPPCC and WHO Honorary Director-General.

Except during the pandemic years, Peng Liyuan has attended similar publicity events around this time almost every year, and the content is largely similar. So, does Peng Liyuan still enjoy her former glory this year? From the author’s perspective, as Xi Jinping is repeatedly rumored to be losing power, Peng Liyuan—whose prestige depends on her husband’s status—now appears noticeably less prominent. This is reflected in three specific aspects:

1. Peng Liyuan’s name was deemphasized in the report.

This year’s report begins with the sentence: “December 1 is the 38th ‘World AIDS Day,’ and the publicity theme is ‘Social Co-governance, Upholding Integrity and Innovation, Ending AIDS.’” Only after this does it introduce Peng Liyuan’s title, attendance, and accompanying officials.

But in 2024 and earlier years, the news first introduced Peng Liyuan’s title, her participation, and the accompanying officials, and only after that did it introduce the year’s publicity theme.

Don’t underestimate this small change in order—what it reflects is a weakening of Peng Liyuan’s status.

2. The rank of officials accompanying Peng Liyuan has been downgraded.

This year, the highest-ranking official accompanying Peng Liyuan was Shen Hongbing, Deputy Director of the National Health Commission and Director of the National Disease Control Bureau, along with the Beijing Propaganda Minister and a CPPCC Standing Committee member. In contrast, at the 2024 event, the highest-ranking accompanying official was Lei Haichao, Director of the National Health Commission. In addition to Shen Hongbing and Sun Junmin, there was also Wang Jiayi, Vice Minister of Education.

At the 2019 event, the officials accompanying Peng included Li Bin, Deputy Director of the National Health Commission; Zhong Denghua, Vice Minister of Education; and Lu Yan, Deputy Mayor of Beijing—considered a high-level lineup.

Compared to 2024 and 2019, the officials accompanying Peng this year were clearly not of the same level. Doesn’t this speak volumes?

3. News coverage has downplayed Peng Liyuan.

In the 2024 video reports, Peng Liyuan received many close-up shots, but this year her coverage was significantly reduced, with many shots instead given to other speakers—similar to the downplaying of Xi Jinping.

The most obvious recent example of downplaying Xi Jinping in CCTV news was during the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games in Guangzhou on November 9. CCTV News Network did not show a single shot of Xi appearing on the big screen at the venue; moreover, his screen time was restricted—and this was not the first time.

Likewise, Peng Liyuan’s screen time has been shortened: it was around 15 seconds during the 2021 National Games opening ceremony, but this year it was only about 8 seconds.

As the saying goes, husband and wife are one. When Xi was basking in glory, Peng Liyuan also enjoyed limitless prestige—even intervening in military personnel selection. Therefore, when Xi’s glory fades, it is no surprise that Peng Liyuan’s shine fades as well.

As the opening “Song of Good and Illusion” in Dream of the Red Chamber has long warned the world: “People all know the splendor of immortals, yet cannot let go of fame and power. Where are the great generals and ministers of old? Buried under mounds of grass.” “As for prosperity and wealth, they are but fleeting clouds.” Yet CCP officials, obsessed with power, do nothing for the people while in office—what can their eventual outcome be?

(People News original publication)
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