Looking into Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi Jinping, one of the first things that jumps out is her impressive background. When she and Xi married in 1987, Peng already held a prominent position in the People's Liberation Army, neither as a soldier nor a commander but as a celebrity singer whose star shined bright across the country. Later, she served as head of the PLA's Song and Dance Troupe. She performed at home and abroad, with her final overseas bow coming in Tokyo in 2009 when her husband was serving as vice president.
 
This week's China Up Close offers not only insights into how Peng contributed to her husband's rise to the top of the Chinese Communist Party but also examines speculation that in recent months she has been playing a behind-the-scenes role in the military's personnel affairs.
 
It's a story of a husband trusting his wife and of her helping him find the rungs on the ladder to success. In general, beautiful, but considering who the couple is and the crucial matters of state they are dealing with, it's also a complex tale of political intrigue. Perhaps this week's column is Act I of Peng and Xi's story, with subsequent acts playing out in the months ahead.
 
Read Katsuji Nakazawa's analysis here.