First lady Michelle
Obama, with her mother and daughters, arrives in Beijing on Thursday,
March 20, to kick off a six-day tour focusing on education and cultural
exchange. Click through the gallery to see where else the first lady has
been. By Michael Martinez
CNN
2:13 PM EDT, Thu March 20, 2014
First lady Michelle Obama (click here) is in China for an official visit to expand
Sino-American relations, but she will refrain from talking about
political differences.
Mrs. Obama, who flew
Wednesday from Washington, D.C., is making a week-long trip to three
Chinese cities and will speak with children at several schools about the
importance of education and youth empowerment.
The U.S. first lady has several activities and events scheduled Friday with Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan.
"Her visit and her agenda
sends a message that the relationship between the United States and
China is not just between leaders, it's a relationship between peoples,"
said Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes....
Peng Liyuan meets with Michelle Obama
Updated: 2014-03-20 23:43
By ZHAO SHENGNAN and LI XIAOKUN
Peng Liyuan meets with Michelle Obama Updated: 2014-03-20 23:43
By ZHAO SHENGNAN and LI XIAOKUN
(China Daily)
...Though nobody (click here) from the delegation spoke to the media, the first lady's brief debut spread quickly on Chinese media and micro blogs, where users discussed what she would wear and eat, and how she will interact with Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan.
"It is another innovation in the history of Chinese diplomacy" and helps both sides' leaders strengthen their personal relations, said Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies.
Ruan was referring to the latest "creative" laid-back meeting between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Barack Obama, at the Sunnylands resort in California last June, soon after Xi assumed office.
Peng, Xi's wife, accompanied her husband on the Sunnylands visit but did not meet Michelle Obama, who was in Washington. Her absence left some Chinese disappointed and more excited about the "make-up" meeting.
On Friday, Michelle Obama, a Harvard-educated lawyer, is to spend almost the whole day with Peng. The two first ladies will visit a high school in Beijing, stroll inside the Forbidden City, eat Peking duck and watch a performance together....
...Though nobody (click here) from the delegation spoke to the media, the first lady's brief debut spread quickly on Chinese media and micro blogs, where users discussed what she would wear and eat, and how she will interact with Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan.
"It is another innovation in the history of Chinese diplomacy" and helps both sides' leaders strengthen their personal relations, said Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies.
Ruan was referring to the latest "creative" laid-back meeting between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Barack Obama, at the Sunnylands resort in California last June, soon after Xi assumed office.
Peng, Xi's wife, accompanied her husband on the Sunnylands visit but did not meet Michelle Obama, who was in Washington. Her absence left some Chinese disappointed and more excited about the "make-up" meeting.
On Friday, Michelle Obama, a Harvard-educated lawyer, is to spend almost the whole day with Peng. The two first ladies will visit a high school in Beijing, stroll inside the Forbidden City, eat Peking duck and watch a performance together....
