Michelle Obama met Chinese president Xi Jinping on the first day of a week-long China visit, in a sign the leaders of the world's two largest economies are seeking to build stronger bonds.
The formal meeting between Xi and the first lady took place in the company of Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and the first lady's daughters and mother.
The visit is being seen as a prelude to an upcoming meeting between Xi and President Obama at a nuclear security summit in The Hague.
Obama, the first US president's wife to visit China independently, was earlier hosted by Peng on a tour of a Beijing high school and the former Imperial Palace.
She thanked Xi for the warm reception, telling him: "We have had a wonderful first day here in China."
He said: "I cherish my sound working relationship and personal friendship I have already established with your husband. We stay in close touch."
The meeting was not on the first lady's official itinerary, but had been expected.
Teng Jianqun, director of the American studies department at the China Institute of International Studies, said: "It is only logical for President Xi to meet her, because it is a matter of etiquette for the head of the household to meet the guest of his wife."
US aides have said the first lady is staying away from contentious issues, but will promote education and people-to-people exchanges during the seven-day visit to three cities.
Earlier in the day, Obama played table tennis at Beijing's elite Second High School and met students who were building robots. The school has 33 American exchange students, and some of its Chinese students aspire to study in the US.
In a calligraphy class arranged for her, the first lady, on her first visit to China, practised writing the Chinese character for "eternal" under the guidance of 16-year-old student Lu Yuhong.
"I'm nervous," Obama said. "Don't be nervous," Peng replied in English.
Lu said: "The first lady was so amicable. She was very approachable."
Later in the morning, Peng escorted Obama to the former Imperial Palace in central Beijing. That was to be followed by a private dinner and a performance.
The first lady is also preparing to deliver a speech at Peking University. An aide said: "She will talk about the value of the free exchange of ideas and the internet, and how that, in her view, has made our country stronger. How even when you can be the object of criticism, as she and her husband have been, that that's not a system she would change."
The White House hopes by travelling with her daughters, Malia and Sasha, and mother Marian, Obama's trip will resonate with Chinese families, who value multi-generational activities.
"China views Mrs Obama's trip most positively," said Shen Dingli, professor of international relations at Fudan University in Shanghai. "If she is humble and respectful, she will win the support from the Chinese public for building good relationships with the United States under the leadership of her husband."
The Obama delegation is also due to visit the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum, and a panda-breeding facility.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Michelle Obama meets Chinese president Xi Jinping on Beijing visit
Michelle Obama met Chinese president Xi Jinping on the first day of a week-long China visit, in a sign the leaders of the world's two largest economies are seeking to build stronger bonds.
The formal meeting between Xi and the first lady took place in the company of Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and the first lady's daughters and mother.
The visit is being seen as a prelude to an upcoming meeting between Xi and President Obama at a nuclear security summit in The Hague.
Obama, the first US president's wife to visit China independently, was earlier hosted by Peng on a tour of a Beijing high school and the former Imperial Palace.
She thanked Xi for the warm reception, telling him: "We have had a wonderful first day here in China."
He said: "I cherish my sound working relationship and personal friendship I have already established with your husband. We stay in close touch."
The meeting was not on the first lady's official itinerary, but had been expected.
Teng Jianqun, director of the American studies department at the China Institute of International Studies, said: "It is only logical for President Xi to meet her, because it is a matter of etiquette for the head of the household to meet the guest of his wife."
US aides have said the first lady is staying away from contentious issues, but will promote education and people-to-people exchanges during the seven-day visit to three cities.
Earlier in the day, Obama played table tennis at Beijing's elite Second High School and met students who were building robots. The school has 33 American exchange students, and some of its Chinese students aspire to study in the US.
In a calligraphy class arranged for her, the first lady, on her first visit to China, practised writing the Chinese character for "eternal" under the guidance of 16-year-old student Lu Yuhong.
"I'm nervous," Obama said. "Don't be nervous," Peng replied in English.
Lu said: "The first lady was so amicable. She was very approachable."
Later in the morning, Peng escorted Obama to the former Imperial Palace in central Beijing. That was to be followed by a private dinner and a performance.
The first lady is also preparing to deliver a speech at Peking University. An aide said: "She will talk about the value of the free exchange of ideas and the internet, and how that, in her view, has made our country stronger. How even when you can be the object of criticism, as she and her husband have been, that that's not a system she would change."
The White House hopes by travelling with her daughters, Malia and Sasha, and mother Marian, Obama's trip will resonate with Chinese families, who value multi-generational activities.
"China views Mrs Obama's trip most positively," said Shen Dingli, professor of international relations at Fudan University in Shanghai. "If she is humble and respectful, she will win the support from the Chinese public for building good relationships with the United States under the leadership of her husband."
The Obama delegation is also due to visit the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum, and a panda-breeding facility.
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