(Image source from: 10 things you didn't know about China's First Lady})

The Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a three-day visit to India from September 17 to 19th.  While the Chinese premier may be garnering lots of attention. But the media will also be interested on his better half, Peng Liyuan who will be accompanying him during his India tour.

Here are a few things you should know about the Chinese First Lady

1. Liyuan and Jinping have been married for more than 25 years. The Chinese Premier reportedly took  only 40 minutes to decide that he wanted Liyuan as his life partner, when they first met in 1986 through mutual friends.

2. Liyuan, the name of China's First Lady, in in Chinese means "Beauteous Beauty". She is often compared to the US First Lady for her sense of style, prominence on the global stage, and her commitment to improve the health and education in the country.

3. Liyuan has been candid while praising her husband Xi Jinping. During an interview she spoke about their relationship in a candid manner saying: "When we first met, I felt in my heart that this is the ideal husband of my dreams - straightforward and honest and thoughtful."

4. According to a Chinese web portal Liyuan comes from Shandong, an area known for its peony flowers. So she was nicknamed the "Peony Fairy" by admirers.

5. Liyuan joined the Chinese army when she was 18 years old. Peng Liyuan was the youngest civilian major general in the People's Liberation Army (China's national army). The Chinese First Lady also served as a goodwill ambassador for HIV/Aids and tuberculosis for the World Health Organisation.

6. The First Lady of China was among the first people to take up a masters in folk music in China during the 1980s. She had been a dedicated student says her professor. Since then Liyuan has performed in almost 50 countries.

7. For 24 years Liyuan starred in an annual Lunar New Year gala that was broadcast on state television. The programme has been viewed by millions.

8. Liyuan has a great sense of style that won her a place on Vanity Fair’s international best-dressed list in 2013. Even Time magazine placed Peng on its 100 most influential list, in the icons section in 2013.

9. Forbes magazine ranked Liyuan 57th in the list of most powerful woman in the world.

10. This year, UNESCO announced Peng Liyuan as its Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls’ and Women’s Education.

(AW: Pratima Tigga)