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Michelle Obama meets Chinese President Xi Jinping

22 March 2014 Last updated at 01:46 GMT

US first lady Michelle Obama has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the first day of her week-long tour of the Asian nation.

The formal meeting occurred in a state guesthouse and included Mr Xi's wife, Peng Liyuan, along with Mrs Obama's two daughters and mother.

"I cherish my sound working relationship and personal friendship I already established with your husband," Mr Xi reportedly said, as reported by US media.

Mrs Obama's trip has also included a tour of a school where she played table tennis with a student and tried her hand at calligraphy.

Mrs Obama, who is making history as the first US first lady to visit China independently, is said to be focusing on student exchanges and education during her trip.

Catharinah Moh reports.