Hope Chinese School students perform for Peng Liyuan and Melania Trump
After a tour of the National Museum of Asian Art, Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan watched Hope Chinese School students perform and spoke with them. The students sang two songs, and Peng encouraged them to continue learning Chinese language and culture and to promote U.S.-China friendship.
Key points
- The visit included a student performance and an exchange with the two first ladies, combining cultural presentation with a personal meeting.
Evidence · 3 source statements
After the tour, Peng and Melania watched American teenagers sing Chinese songs together and had cordial exchanges with them.
After the tour, Peng and Melania watched American teenagers sing Chinese songs together and had cordial exchanges with them.
- Peng framed the students’ language and culture studies as a way to foster friendship between China and the United States.
Evidence · 3 source statements
Peng encouraged them to continue studying the Chinese language and culture and to become envoys of friendship between China and the United States.
Peng encouraged them to continue studying the Chinese language and culture and to become envoys of friendship between China and the United States.
Who's involved
Peng Liyuan
She attended the visit and addressed the students.
She encouraged the students to continue studying Chinese language and culture and to help build friendship between China and the United States.
What they said · 3 source statements
Peng encouraged them to continue studying the Chinese language and culture and to become envoys of friendship between China and the United States.
Peng encouraged them to continue studying the Chinese language and culture and to become envoys of friendship between China and the United States.
What was reported
- After the museum tour, Peng and Melania watched American teenagers sing Chinese songs and spoke with them.
Reported independently by 2: Global Times, Xinhua
Evidence · 2 source statements
After the tour, Peng and Melania watched American teenagers sing Chinese songs together and had cordial exchanges with them.
After the tour, Peng and Melania watched American teenagers sing Chinese songs together and had cordial exchanges with them.
- About 36 Hope Chinese School students, aged 8 to 15, wore blue and white, waved U.S. and Chinese flags, and sang two songs.
One source: Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 2 source statements
- One song was sung in both Chinese and English. Yonhap, citing the Associated Press, identified the songs as “Song and Smile” and “Jasmine Flower”; the South China Morning Post also described a performance of “Jasmine Flower.”
Reported independently by 3: Associated Press, South China Morning Post, Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 3 source statements
Footage shows the Hope Chinese School youth choir waving Chinese and American national flags during their rendition of the song “Jasmine Flower”, while Peng watches with a smile,…
- Melania applauded after each song and called out “Bravo”; Peng sang with the children. The South China Morning Post also reported that both women applauded and that Peng called out “bravo.”
Reported independently by 2: South China Morning Post, Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 3 source statements
The two first ladies applaud the children
“bravo”
- Peng encouraged the students to keep learning Chinese language and culture and to become goodwill ambassadors for China-U.S. friendship.
Reported independently by 3: Global Times, Xinhua, Xinhua News Agency
Evidence · 3 source statements
Peng encouraged them to continue studying the Chinese language and culture and to become envoys of friendship between China and the United States.
Peng encouraged them to continue studying the Chinese language and culture and to become envoys of friendship between China and the United States.
How coverage differed
Chinese state media — Both reports highlight the friendly exchange after the tour and Peng’s encouragement to the teenagers.
Yonhap News Agency — The reports give details about the students’ number, ages, clothing, flags and songs; the combined report also relays song titles from the Associated Press.
South China Morning Post — The report focuses on the “Jasmine Flower” performance and Peng’s visible reaction to it.
Still unclear
- The content of the students’ exchanges with the first ladies is not specified.
Not heard from
- Melania Trump — She attended and responded to the performance, but no statement from her appears in the reports’ claims.
- Hope Chinese School students — They performed and met the first ladies, but none of the claims includes their own words.