Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, welcomed Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, to the Beijing People’s Art Theatre on Thursday. The visit took place during the French president’s state trip to China and served as a warm reflection of the long standing cultural ties between the two countries.
The two first ladies toured the Theatre Museum of the Beijing People’s Art Theatre, where they received an in-depth introduction to the institution’s history, artistic development, and its longstanding exchanges with French theater groups. The Beijing People’s Art Theatre is one of China’s most iconic cultural institutions and has played a major role in shaping the country’s modern dramatic arts. During the tour, Peng and Brigitte viewed the stage set of the classic play Teahouse, a production widely regarded as a masterpiece in Chinese theater.
At the theater center Peng invited Brigitte to watch a short performance segment, offering her a closer look at the expressive style and storytelling tradition of Chinese drama. The two shared a warm conversation about the importance of cultural preservation and artistic innovation. Peng emphasized that generations of Chinese dramatists have remained committed to carrying forward the richness of traditional Chinese culture while also learning from international theater practices. She said this combination of heritage and openness has allowed Chinese stage art to evolve and gain recognition globally.
Peng also noted that both China and France are influential cultural powers with deep artistic traditions. She expressed her hope that artists from both countries will expand their exchanges, draw inspiration from one another and work together to create exceptional theatrical works that reflect shared creativity and mutual respect. Strengthening cultural ties, she said, helps build a stronger foundation for friendship between the two nations.
Brigitte Macron thanked Peng for the thoughtful arrangements and expressed her admiration for Chinese dramatic arts. She said she was impressed by the professionalism and artistic depth of the performers as well as the long history of the theater itself. Brigitte added that she is eager to continue supporting cultural dialogue between China and France and wants to encourage greater people to people interaction. Enhancing mutual understanding, she said, is essential to deepening the relationship between the two countries.
The visit by the two first ladies highlighted the role of cultural cooperation in international diplomacy. As China and France celebrate decades of artistic exchange, their shared commitment to promoting theater, creativity and cross cultural understanding remains an important part of their broader bilateral relationship.
