Beijing, March 21 (IANS): US First Lady Michelle Obama believes her trip to China will boost exchanges in culture and education between China and the US and propel bilateral ties to a new level, China Daily reported Friday.

"We hope to understand more about Chinese culture and education through this trip, and spark more interest in American youth on China," she was quoted as saying while visiting Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University, which has over 40 American students.

Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan accompanied Michelle and her two daughters. "Exchanges in culture and education can promote mutual understanding and friendship between the citizens of our countries, and this is critical to the development of the Sino-US relationship. I'm very glad to see you," Peng said.

Obama tried her hand at Chinese calligraphy, where she wrote the character "Yong" (forever). Peng, who excels in calligraphy, also worked on a scroll with four Chinese characters "Hou De Zai Wu" (great virtues) and presented it as a gift to Michelle.

After the school, Peng accompanied Michelle Obama and her family on a tour of the Forbidden City.

The US First Lady arrived in Beijing Thursday, kicking off a weeklong, three-city tour of China that analysts said will further advance relations between Beijing and Washington.