Li Meiling is a supporting character who appears exclusively in the anime adaptation of Cardcaptor Sakura. She is the first cousin of Syaoran Li and originates from Hong Kong, where the two were raised together and shared a close bond from early childhood. As children, both trained in martial arts under the instruction of Wang Wei. A formative incident occurred when Meiling's pet bird escaped one rainy night; Syaoran, ordinarily quiet and withdrawn, spent hours searching in the rain and returned with the bird. Deeply moved by his care, Meiling devoted herself to him from that day onward. She eventually declared that she liked him above anyone else and, believing the feeling was mutual, proclaimed them to be engaged. At the same time, she made a promise that if Syaoran ever came to love someone else more than her, she would step aside.

Meiling travels to Tomoeda, Japan, after Syaoran does not return to Hong Kong at the promised time. Upon arriving, she enrolls at Tomoeda Elementary School and intends to assist Syaoran in collecting the Clow Cards. She initially regards Sakura Kinomoto as a rival, both for Syaoran's attention and in the card-capturing efforts, and openly expresses dislike toward her. Meiling is characterized by her energetic, outspoken, and competitive nature. She is boisterous and straightforward, often eager to show off her abilities. She can come across as brash or arrogant, but beneath this exterior lies a genuine kindness and a caring heart. She extends help to others when they are in need, as seen when she assists Sakura with a school project while Sakura is ill and later helps steady her during a card encounter despite Sakura's fever. Meiling struggles with tasks that require patience, such as long-distance running and baking, tending to rush through them, yet she persists in trying to improve.

Unlike Syaoran and many members of her family, Meiling possesses no magical abilities. She relies entirely on her physical fighting skills, which are considerable due to her martial arts training. This lack of magic sometimes places her at a disadvantage during battles against the Clow Cards. In an early encounter with the Fight card, she is nearly harmed and must be rescued by Syaoran, leading her to feel like a burden. However, her synchronized fighting style with Syaoran, developed through years of training together, proves effective in later encounters such as the battle against the Twin card.

As the story progresses, Meiling's initial rivalry with Sakura slowly transforms into grudging respect and eventually genuine friendship. She begins to recognize that Syaoran is developing feelings for Sakura. During a later return visit to Tomoeda, she overhears Syaoran address Sakura by her first name, something he only does with his sisters and with Meiling herself. This confirms her understanding of his true feelings. Before Syaoran can speak, Meiling interrupts him, smiles through tears, and declares the engagement over. She spends the night at Tomoyo Daidouji's house to release her sadness privately, without burdening Syaoran, and then returns to Hong Kong. In the second movie, she returns alongside Syaoran and works with Tomoyo to encourage Sakura to confess her own feelings to him, demonstrating her selflessness and growth.

Meiling's development centers on learning to let go of her possessive attachment to Syaoran and accepting that love cannot be forced or claimed. She matures from a jealous, competitive child into a supportive friend who prioritizes the happiness of those she cares about. Her role in the story emphasizes themes of unrequited love, personal growth, and the strength found in vulnerability and kindness. She continues to appear in later sequels, including the Clear Card Arc, where she remains an active and helpful presence.