Melania Trump and China's first lady Peng Liyuan tour Smithsonian Asian art museum in Washington

On Thursday, first lady Melania Trump hosted China's first lady, Peng Liyuan, for a tour of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., as part of a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two visited the Peacock Room and viewed the museum's collection of over 46,000 objects. The tour was a display of soft power, highlighting cultural ties between the U.S. and China. The visit occurred amid tensions over trade, AI, Taiwan, and global prices. A state dinner was held later that evening, featuring a three-course menu with Chinese influences.