Michelle Obama v Peng Liyuan: the matchup we won't see Born: Yuncheng County, Heze City, Shandong province Education: Beijing's China Conservatory of Music (Master/Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music) Family: a daughter, Xi Mingze, 21. In Chinese the first name means "living an honest life and being a useful person to society." Pets: None known. Dress Sense: Described by the Chinese media as fashionable, elegant, confident and tasteful. Has a taste for Chinese brands such as Exception de Mixmind and Wu Yong by local designer Ma Ke. Often seen wearing the traditional body-hugging dress "qipao" dress, with a coat or blazer. Is said to favour "affordable" clothes and jewellery. Causes: WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and HIV/Aids. State media says she is also an "ambassador for the prevention of juvenile delinquency and for tobacco control." Political profile: Until Xi Jinping became Communist Party leader last November, Peng Liyuan's 30-year singing career meant she was far better known in China than her husband. Hidden Talents: calligraphy, making bed covers and quilts with a sewing machine, cooking steamed buns. Name: Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama Age: 49 Title: First Lady of the United States Height: 5' 11 Born: Chicago, Illinois Education: Princeton University (Bachelor of Arts in Sociology) Harvard Law School Profession: Successful lawyer, Associate Dean at University of Chicago, Vice-President at University of Chicago Hospitals Family: Malia, 14, Sasha, 11 Pets: Bo, the first dog, a Portuguese water dog. Dress sense: One of Vanity Fair's 10 best dressed in the world in 2007 and again in 2008. People magazine called her style "classic and confident." Likes to wear affordable, high-street fashions from J Crew and Target. Known for wearing sleeveless sheath dresses, and for her much-discussed new fringe hairstyle. Causes: equal pay for women, gay and lesbian equality, "Let's Move" campaign to fight childhood obesity, support for veterans and military families. Political profile: at 66 per cent Mrs Obama has the highest approval ratings of any political figure in America. She is also one of the most recognisable figures in the political sphere. Hidden talents: keen gardener, likes to dance, enjoys Sudoku. Loves exercising, her favourite sport is tennis.