Contact is taking a holiday!

First Lady Michelle Obama, Sasha, Malia and Mrs Robinson are greeted by Tibetan students at the Zangxiang Village Tea House in Chengdu, China on March 26
Photo: Amanda Lucidon/ White House

United States First Lady Michelle Obama created a stir during her week-long visit to China in late March. The trip, which was intended to advocate education and serve to bolster US-Sino relations, turned political when the First Lady remarked openly about free expression and minority rights while speaking at Peking University in Beijing. Mrs Obama also made headlines and brought worldwide media attention to Tibet by choosing to dine at a Tibetan restaurant while in Sichuan province.

During her visit, Mrs Obama emphasised the importance of a free and just society. Although she largely spoke on the topic of education, the First Lady was able to ease in a few political messages; hinting at, but not directly condemning, China’s oppressive policies. Predictably, the remarks have been omitted by Chinese state-sponsored media outlets, and have largely been silenced within China where greater focus has been given to other, less controversial aspects of Mrs Obama’s visit.

In the latter days of her trip, Mrs Obama again caused controversy by choosing to dine at Zangxiang Teahouse, a Tibetan restaurant in Sichuan province. The choice, a member of her staff said, was in accordance with her interest in the rights of ethnic minorities.

Entering the restaurant, Mrs Obama spun a row of prayer wheels. Once inside, she was greeted by Tibetan students who presented her with the traditional Tibetan gift of greeting—a long white scarf called a khata. She sampled Tibetan dishes including yak meat pie, boiled yak ribs, tsampa, and yak butter tea.

By choosing to dine at Zangxiang Teahouse, Mrs Obama is seen to be acknowledging and embracing Tibet’s culture. Moreover, the First Lady drew attention to the highly sensitive issue of Tibetan rights. News sources from across the globe have since reported on the nearly 130 self-immolations that have occurred within Tibet, events that otherwise go largely unnoticed by western media.

Sichuan province is home to a sizeable Tibetan population. The province borders the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), and is where nearly half of the self-immolations have occurred.

Mrs Obama’s visit comes just one month after President Barack Obama held a controversial meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the White House despite strong pressure and disapproval from Chinese officials.