First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters, Malia and Sasha, will travel to China late this month, the White House announced Monday.
Obama will travel March 19-26 to Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu. She also will be accompanied by her mother, Marian Robinson.
Obama is scheduled to meet with Madame Peng Liyuan, the spouse of China’s President Xi Jinping, visit a university and two high schools and tour historical and cultural sites.
During the trip, as on previous international trips to Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, Obama focus on the importance of education, both in her own life and in the lives of children in both countries, according to the White House.
She is encouraging students and classrooms across the U.S. to follow her trip by signing up for updates throughout the visit. PBS LearningMedia and Discovery Education will offer opportunities for children to learn about the trip.
Tomorrow, Obama will visit the Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School – a Chinese-immersion, International Baccalaureate, elementary school in Washington -- to encourage students to follow her trip.
The White House expects to announce additional details about the trip in the coming weeks.
President Barack Obama will travel to Asia in April, but is not expected to visit China. He met with the president last year at a posh California estate for two days.