In the evening of March 21, 2014, President Xi Jinping and his wife Mme. Peng Liyuan met with Mme. Michelle Obama, wife of the US President Barack Obama, at Diaoyutai State Guest House.

Xi Jinping welcomed Mme. Michelle Obama to visit China together with her mother Mrs. Marian Robinson and her daughters, and asked her to convey his warm greetings and best wishes to President Obama.

Xi Jinping stressed, China-US relations are very important to both countries and the world. I cherish the sound working relationship and friendship already established with President Obama. We kept close contacts through meetings, phone calls and letters. I am looking forward to meeting again with President Obama in the Hague, the Netherlands just in a few days, and welcome him to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Informal Leadership Meeting in Beijing in November this year. I believe that with the joint efforts, China-US relations will surely and constantly move forward towards the establishment of a new model of major country relationship.

Michelle conveyed to Xi Jinping greetings from President Obama. She expressed that it was very rare for her to travel abroad together with her mother and her daughters. She is even more honored to be able to visit China. Her whole family thanked President Xi Jinping for meeting with them and for Mme. Peng Liyuan's invitation, and also thanked the Chinese side for the gracious reception. Today is the first day of their visit. They got the opportunity to meet with Chinese young students and to visit the Forbidden City as well. These are unforgettable experience for them. She hoped to have more opportunities to visit China in the future. She encouraged her daughters and US youngsters to understand and to learn more about traditions and culture of other countries. There are now more and more American children learning the Chinese language in the US or studying in China. Youth exchanges are very important to US-China relations.

Xi Jinping told Michelle that, your visit this time is themed with education. That is very good. Respect for teachers and valuing education are Chinese traditions. Education bears on the future of a nation, and the young people are the hope for a nation. With the rapid development of China-US educational exchanges, the young generation of both countries can widen their knowledge and vision, and enhance their mutual understanding and friendship.

Xi Jinping said, apart from Beijing, you are scheduled to visit Xi'an and Chengdu. Wish you a joyful and unforgettable time in China.

Peng Liyuan expressed that China and the US boast different features in culture and education. We can learn from each other. Hope more US friends could share what you have seen and heard in China, understand China's time-honored history and civilization as well as its contemporary development and progress. We also hope that you will pass on the friendship of the Chinese people to the US people．