Michelle Obama arrived in China on Wednesday for her first official visit, accompanied by her mother and two daughters, CNN reported.
The first lady plans on visiting three cities -- Beijing, Chengdu, and Xi'an -- and three schools to discuss the significance of education and youth empowerment. Additionally, she scheduled several activities with the first lady of China, Peng Liyuan, for Friday.
"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.
"That's critically important, given the roles that our two countries are going to play in the 21st century, that we maintain the very regular contacts that we have at the leader-to-leader level, but that we're also reaching out and building relationships with people, particularly young people."
Next week, President Barack Obama will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Nuclear Security Summit.
"We don't expect the people of China to agree with all of our policy positions at any given moment, but the more they understand the United States, the more they understand the President and the first lady and their values and their priorities, we think the better it is for both of our countries," Rhodes added.
White House officials believe that the first lady bringing her mother and daughters will resonate with the Chinese people.
"I think they understand the significance as well of family and of three generations of family traveling together, which I think the Chinese will appreciate, and will appreciate the ties and the bonds that the Obama family have with one another across generations," said the first lady's chief of staff, Tina Tchen.
"This is a great opportunity for the Obama family to experience that, and I think for the Chinese to see that as well in an American family."
