First ladies enjoy learning experience

Visit to school highlights Xi’s call for ‘fair access to good education’

The first ladies of China and the United States, both famous for their talent and good taste in fashion, joined elementary school students to finish making a qipao — cheongsam — dress in Beijing on Thursday.

Accompanied by Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi Jinping, Melania Trump visited Banchang Elementary School in Dongcheng district in the morning.

At the gate, Peng and Trump waved to students who held the flags of the two countries. There was also a team of students dressed in red playing waist drums and dancing to welcome the distinguished guests in a warm and traditional way.

Peng told the US first lady that this school is an ordinary public school. It was established 70 years ago, has kept improving its level of teaching and has made notable progress in quality-oriented education, she said.

Unlike most schools chosen in visits by foreign leaders, which are famous for their elite education, Banchang Elementary School is rarely heard of among the public.

The arrangement in such an important visit by the US first lady is a reflection of President Xi’s emphasis on every child’s “fair access to good education” in his report delivered to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which concluded on Oct 24, analysts said.

Peng and Trump observed various classes at the school, including English, Peking Opera and astronomy. They also joined the students in painting pictures of pandas and baking Chinese and US snacks.

The students presented their calligraphy, handicrafts and handmade models of ancient Chinese architecture to the two first ladies.

A girl gave a Chinese knot to Trump. The US first lady thanked her and said she will take it back to “decorate the White House”.

Peng and Trump then watched a student performance including dancing, tai chi fan exercise and English and Chinese songs.

Peng said that the friendship between the two nations is deeprooted and has a long history. The two first ladies agreed that children in China and the US should know more about each other and make friends.

GREG BAKER / REUTERS China’s First Lady Peng Liyuan and US First Lady Melania Trump paint the eyes of panda figures in a calligraphy class during a visit to Banchang Elementary School in Beijing on Thursday.