ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />U.S. first lady Michelle Obama on Thursday (March 20) kicked off her week-long maiden visit to China, which aims to strengthen education and cultural ties between the world's two giants.<br/> <br />Obama arrived at Beijing's international airport on Thursday afternoon with her mother and two daughters.<br/> <br />They were greeted by Chinese and other officials including U.S. ambassador to China, Max Baucus.<br/> <br />The week-long trip marks only the third foreign solo trip for Obama, who has cultivated a self-described "mom in chief" image, putting her energy into raising her daughters Malia, 15, and Sasha, 12, and signature domestic policy issues such as combating childhood obesity.<br/> <br />Obama is expected to spend Friday (March 21) with China's charismatic first lady, Peng Liyuan, who is admired at home as both a glamorous songstress and fashion icon.<br/> <br />Besides Beijing, Obama will visit the western historic city of Xi'an and the southern city of Chengd
