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Politics Won’t Be on First Lady’s China Itinerary, Aides Say Politics Won’t Be on First Lady’s China Itinerary, Aides Say
(6 months later)
WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama’s trip to China starting on Wednesday will be nonpolitical, the White House says, a “people-to-people exchange” emphasizing the importance that both nations place on education. As if to underscore the point, no reporters are traveling with the first lady, and she does not plan to give interviews while there. WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama’s trip to China starting on Wednesday will be nonpolitical, the White House says, a “people-to-people exchange” emphasizing the importance that both nations place on education. As if to underscore the point, no reporters are traveling with the first lady, and she does not plan to give interviews while there.
But with the United States and China locked in disagreements over trade, cyberweapons, territorial claims and, as always, human rights — and with President Obama preparing to meet with President Xi Jinping next week at a nuclear summit meeting — political overtones will be almost impossible to avoid.But with the United States and China locked in disagreements over trade, cyberweapons, territorial claims and, as always, human rights — and with President Obama preparing to meet with President Xi Jinping next week at a nuclear summit meeting — political overtones will be almost impossible to avoid.
“Politics can be imposed,” said Melanne Verveer, who accompanied Hillary Rodham Clinton to China in 1995 as the first lady’s chief of staff. “People will want to put a political spin on the trip.”“Politics can be imposed,” said Melanne Verveer, who accompanied Hillary Rodham Clinton to China in 1995 as the first lady’s chief of staff. “People will want to put a political spin on the trip.”
Mrs. Obama is drawing scrutiny for her decision to travel with her mother and her two daughters, who are on spring break, bringing to mind a vacation she took to Spain in 2010 with her daughter Sasha and some friends. She and her entourage paid for their lodging and entertainment. But the security cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars, and the trip was criticized as lavish.Mrs. Obama is drawing scrutiny for her decision to travel with her mother and her two daughters, who are on spring break, bringing to mind a vacation she took to Spain in 2010 with her daughter Sasha and some friends. She and her entourage paid for their lodging and entertainment. But the security cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars, and the trip was criticized as lavish.
Some conservative commentators are calling the China trip a junket. The White House will not say how much it will cost.Some conservative commentators are calling the China trip a junket. The White House will not say how much it will cost.
Tina Tchen, Mrs. Obama’s chief of staff and a first-generation Chinese-American, said a multigenerational visit would be appreciated by the Chinese, who value tradition.Tina Tchen, Mrs. Obama’s chief of staff and a first-generation Chinese-American, said a multigenerational visit would be appreciated by the Chinese, who value tradition.
Mrs. Obama’s aides describe the visit as a cultural exchange unencumbered by official talks at the presidential level. “Her focus on people-to-people relations, her focus on education and youth empowerment is one that we believe will resonate in China,” said Benjamin J. Rhodes, the deputy national security adviser.Mrs. Obama’s aides describe the visit as a cultural exchange unencumbered by official talks at the presidential level. “Her focus on people-to-people relations, her focus on education and youth empowerment is one that we believe will resonate in China,” said Benjamin J. Rhodes, the deputy national security adviser.
Mrs. Obama will be promoting educational exchange programs, emphasizing the need for American and Chinese youths to understand each other’s cultures as their economic fortunes become further intertwined. About 200,000 Chinese are studying in the United States, more than from any other country, compared with about 20,000 Americans studying in China, White House officials said. The Obama administration is trying to raise that number.Mrs. Obama will be promoting educational exchange programs, emphasizing the need for American and Chinese youths to understand each other’s cultures as their economic fortunes become further intertwined. About 200,000 Chinese are studying in the United States, more than from any other country, compared with about 20,000 Americans studying in China, White House officials said. The Obama administration is trying to raise that number.
“If young Americans are able to understand China, able, through our educational exchanges, to study in China, that will be invaluable experience for one of the principal actors in the global economy,” Mr. Rhodes said.“If young Americans are able to understand China, able, through our educational exchanges, to study in China, that will be invaluable experience for one of the principal actors in the global economy,” Mr. Rhodes said.
Mrs. Obama will document her trip on a White House blog. Students will be able to follow Mrs. Obama and participate in virtual discussions using the websites for PBS LearningMedia and Discovery Education.Mrs. Obama will document her trip on a White House blog. Students will be able to follow Mrs. Obama and participate in virtual discussions using the websites for PBS LearningMedia and Discovery Education.
Mrs. Obama’s host will be Peng Liyuan, China’s first lady, whose taste for fashion and the arts sets her apart from her low-key predecessors and has made her a celebrity sensation in her country. Ms. Peng attended her husband’s meeting with Mr. Obama last summer at the Sunnylands estate in California, but Mrs. Obama was not there.Mrs. Obama’s host will be Peng Liyuan, China’s first lady, whose taste for fashion and the arts sets her apart from her low-key predecessors and has made her a celebrity sensation in her country. Ms. Peng attended her husband’s meeting with Mr. Obama last summer at the Sunnylands estate in California, but Mrs. Obama was not there.
Ms. Peng will greet Mrs. Obama when she arrives in Beijing on Thursday after an overnight flight. They will visit a school and tour the Forbidden City before taking in dinner and a performance. Mrs. Obama will also address American students at Peking University and visit the Great Wall. Later in the trip, she will view the terra cotta warriors and visit the Walled City in Xi’an, and visit a school in Chengdu specializing in technology.Ms. Peng will greet Mrs. Obama when she arrives in Beijing on Thursday after an overnight flight. They will visit a school and tour the Forbidden City before taking in dinner and a performance. Mrs. Obama will also address American students at Peking University and visit the Great Wall. Later in the trip, she will view the terra cotta warriors and visit the Walled City in Xi’an, and visit a school in Chengdu specializing in technology.
The trip will last seven days. It is Mrs. Obama’s third trip abroad as first lady without her husband.The trip will last seven days. It is Mrs. Obama’s third trip abroad as first lady without her husband.
Fourteen American first ladies have visited China before, during or after their time in the White House, according to Carl Anthony, the historian of the National First Ladies’ Library. They include Mrs. Obama’s two most recent predecessors, who went as incumbent first ladies and stirred up more than a little controversy.Fourteen American first ladies have visited China before, during or after their time in the White House, according to Carl Anthony, the historian of the National First Ladies’ Library. They include Mrs. Obama’s two most recent predecessors, who went as incumbent first ladies and stirred up more than a little controversy.
In 2008, Laura Bush, during a trip in which she and her husband attended the Beijing Olympics, went to a refugee camp on the border of Thailand and Myanmar, also known as Burma, to call attention to Burmese displaced by a hard-line government backed by China. In 1995, Mrs. Clinton gave a fiery speech at the World Conference on Women in Beijing that criticized China’s treatment of women.In 2008, Laura Bush, during a trip in which she and her husband attended the Beijing Olympics, went to a refugee camp on the border of Thailand and Myanmar, also known as Burma, to call attention to Burmese displaced by a hard-line government backed by China. In 1995, Mrs. Clinton gave a fiery speech at the World Conference on Women in Beijing that criticized China’s treatment of women.
Experts on the office of the first lady say the context of Mrs. Obama’s visit is quite different. Throughout her time in the White House, she has been decidedly nonpolitical, they say, and her focus on education and young people in China fits neatly with the causes she champions at home and on other trips abroad.Experts on the office of the first lady say the context of Mrs. Obama’s visit is quite different. Throughout her time in the White House, she has been decidedly nonpolitical, they say, and her focus on education and young people in China fits neatly with the causes she champions at home and on other trips abroad.
Will she be able to avoid calling attention to politics? “It’s a very tightly controlled schedule, and there is no media and no interviews, so it’s entirely possible,” said Anita McBride, who was Laura Bush’s chief of staff and now runs a program at American University on first ladies. “Both teams are going to do everything they can to prevent it from going in that direction.”Will she be able to avoid calling attention to politics? “It’s a very tightly controlled schedule, and there is no media and no interviews, so it’s entirely possible,” said Anita McBride, who was Laura Bush’s chief of staff and now runs a program at American University on first ladies. “Both teams are going to do everything they can to prevent it from going in that direction.”
There is no plan for Mrs. Obama to meet with Mr. Xi, though Mr. Rhodes said, “We would certainly welcome the opportunity should it arise.”There is no plan for Mrs. Obama to meet with Mr. Xi, though Mr. Rhodes said, “We would certainly welcome the opportunity should it arise.”