US First Lady Michelle Obama will kick off a week-long tour to China focused on eduction and cultural exchanges, officials said Monday.

Accompanied by her mother and two daughters, Malia, 15 and Sasha, 12, the US First Lady will head Wednesday on a tour to China from March 20-26.

White House officials said that Michelle Obama would not take up the myriad disputes between the two nations but would instead speak about educational exchanges and emphasize US goodwill toward the Chinese people.

In Beijing, China's First Lady Peng Liyuan will guide Michelle Obama through the Forbidden City and welcome her with a dinner and performance, the White House said.

The Obamas will also tour the ancient city wall and the terracotta warrior sculptures on March 24 in Xi'an, capital city of northwestern China's Shaanxi Province.

The next day they will head to the southwestern city of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, near the habitat of pandas.

Michelle Obama will deliver speeches on education at Peking University and middle schools in Beijing and Chengdu.

AFP - Global Times