U.S. first lady Michelle Obama arrived in Beijing on Thursday evening, the official Xinhua news agency said, beginning a hotly anticipated week-long trip during which she will promote education and cultural ties. Obama, a Harvard-educated lawyer, is expected to spend Friday with China’s charismatic first lady, Peng Liyuan, who is admired at home as both a glamorous songstress and fashion icon. Besides Beijing, Obama will visit the western historic city of Xi’an and the southern city of Chengdu, where she will visit a panda preserve. Obama’s two daughters are accompanying her, as well as her mother.
