China’s first lady Peng Liyuan charmed young Hong Kong performers during a visit to the city’s complex for Chinese theatre on Thursday, where she was also treated to a brief Cantonese opera show.

An accomplished folk singer and a household name in mainland China, Peng visited the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District while her husband, President Xi Jinping, met the city’s political elites, including outgoing leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, on the other side of the harbour.

Peng’s visit, which was not officially confirmed until after it ended, formed an integral part of Xi’s tour of Hong Kong to inspect the city government’s work on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule.