First lady Michelle Obama 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 . `` 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 . '' President Barack Obama is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week during the Nuclear Security Summit at The Hague . White House officials told reporters on a conference call that issues on which the U.S. and China differ , such as human rights and trade , will be discussed directly between the two leaders and other representatives of the governments . `` We do n'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 . Mrs. Obama plans to visit the cities of Beijing and Chengdu , where she will speak to students and discuss cultural exchanges and the benefits of studying abroad . China is the fifth most popular country for American students studying abroad , and more students from China study in the United States than from any other country . Beyond her message on education , Mrs. Obama will join Madame Peng in a tour of the Forbidden City and the Great Wall . Mrs. Obama will then travel to Xi'an to see the Terra Cotta Warriors . In Chengdu , she will tour the Chengdu Panda Base , which houses approximately 50 pandas . The first lady will be accompanied by her mother , Marian Robinson , and her daughters , Malia and Sasha , something that White House officials believe 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 . ''
The Malia first lady will meet with American first lady Peng Liyuan on week-long . The two women have several activities planned . Mrs. Obama wo n't be talking politics during her Friday visit to three Chinese cities . Her mother and her three daughters are also joining the trip .