After 8 years, Liu Qiangdong and Zhang Zetian appear hand-in-hand in Davos again—still going strong.

A single hand-holding photo once again sent the internet into a frenzy.

On January 21 (Swiss time), Richard Liu and his wife Zhang Zetian appeared together at the World Economic Forum, attending a speech by Donald Trump. This marked their first joint appearance at Davos since 2018, an eight-year gap.

This year’s forum focused on “the spirit of dialogue,” bringing together global political and business leaders. Liu attended with JD.com CEO Xu Ran, while Zhang appeared in her own right as an investor and philanthropist—not merely as a companion.

Photos of Zhang alone quickly went viral. Dressed in a sharp suit, she projected a confident, professional image that contrasted sharply with the long-standing “Milk Tea Girl” stereotype. Many saw this as a clear signal: she is no longer a supporting figure, but a partner who can stand on the same stage.

This isn’t the first time the couple has drawn attention. At the 2025 APEC summit in South Korea, a photo interpreted as emotional distance sparked rumors of marital trouble. Liu later defused the speculation with a lighthearted social media post, widely praised as a high–emotional-intelligence response.

What’s often overlooked is that Zhang’s confidence doesn’t come from her marriage, but from her own track record. Over the years, she has steadily built her identity as an investor, earning respect within business circles.

From controversy to collaboration, the couple’s evolution reflects a rare model in the public eye: not dependency, but mutual growth.