"Lots of countries have set up a first lady office. China should also follow the international practice, to tell the stories of our first lady and emphasize her social virtue."

Zhao Kejin, an associate professor of international relations research at Tsinghua University, said at a forum in Beijing on Wednesday. Zhao said Peng Liyuan, President Xi Jinping's wife, could be deemed as China's image ambassador, according to a report by China Radio International.