However, Peng, a hugely popular singer in China before her husband, Xi Jinping, became the country's leader, has continued to play an active role, especially in HIV/AIDS awareness and activities that involve children. She also has accompanied Xi on several international visits and won applause from fans in China and overseas.

In 2006, Peng was named image ambassador for the National Health and Family Planning Commission, then called the ministry of health, for the control and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

That year, she visited more than 200 children affected by HIV and AIDS at the Fuyang AIDS Orphan Salvation Association in Anhui province, where she was affectionately called "Mother Peng" by the children.

In 2004, Peng was named as an ambassador committed to the prevention of juvenile delinquency.

In 2007, she was also named as an ambassador for the control and prevention of tuberculosis in China, and became an ambassador for smoking control two years after that.

In 2008, after the Wenchuan earthquake, Peng donated 200,000 yuan ($32,500) for victim relief. She also went to quake-affected areas with 30 other artists to perform and console victims.

In 2011, she was named by the WHO as an ambassador in the fight against tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.