First lady Peng Liyuan’s English takes the spotlight in exchange with Melania Trump

China’s first lady Peng Liyuan has sparked online buzz over her English-language exchanges with the US first lady without an interpreter during her visit to Washington with President Xi Jinping this week.

After Xi and Peng stepped off the plane, the two couples spoke with the help of interpreters.

Trump greets Xi on airfield

But as they walked along the red carpet, Peng and Melania appeared to chat directly behind the two presidents. The pair smiled and spoke to each other until they reached the cameras for the start of the welcoming ceremony.

Peng appeared to ask about Barron Trump, Donald Trump’s youngest son and Melania’s only child, according to professional lip-reader Nicola Hickling who was quoted in a US tabloid. Peng then raised a hand towards her forehead in an apparent gesture about his height.