銆€銆€Chinese President Xi Jinping (1st L) and his wife Peng Liyuan (2nd R) are welcomed by Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (2nd L) and his wife Salma Kikwete (1st R) upon their arrival in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, March 24, 2013. [Photo: Xinhua]

銆€銆€Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan have been named among Time magazine's most influential people in the world. Chinese tennis super star Li Na is also on the list.

銆€銆€The 100 Most Influential People are featured in five categories, including leader, titan, artist, pioneer and icon. Xi is among the "Leaders" group with his US counterpart Barack Obama, while Peng with US First Lady Michelle Obama and Chinese tennis super star Li Na in "Icons" group.

銆€銆€"He has put forward a sweeping reform program designed to move millions to the cities, streamline bureaucracy, reorient the economy away from state-owned enterprises and fight corruption," Time quoted former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as saying.

銆€銆€"In foreign policy he has posed a key question. Can two great, partially competitive countries substitute cooperation for conflict? The answers of both sides will determine the world's future. Based on my meetings with Xi, his answer will be both thoughtful and forceful," said Kissinger.

銆€銆€In Time's website, the magazine's China Bureau Chief Hannah Beech said Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan "isn't shying away from the camera. During Xi's first presidential trip abroad in March, she conducted a one-woman charm offensive across Russia and Africa"

銆€銆€"Now her clothes make headlines. While rich Chinese favor Western brands, Peng pointedly wore domestic labels on her tour. She's bringing glamour to Made in China" said Beech.

銆€銆€Time said that for the first time it is issuing seven separate covers for its 100 Most Influential People edition, which is published in the United States on Friday.

銆€銆€Chinese tennis player Li Na, 31, the first Asian woman to win a Grand Slam title, and Bollywood actor Aamir Kahn, will be featured on the front of international editions. Rapper Jay-Z, actress Jennifer Lawrence, SpaceX founder Elon Musk, Pakistan teenager Mulala Yousufzai and US Republican Senator Rand Paul will be featured on five different US covers.

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