Chinese prez becomes teaches Obama princess Sasha

Washington, Jan 22: During his US visit, Chinese President Hu Jintao became a teacher as US President Barack Obama's nine-year-old daughter, Sasha, tested her developing Chinese skills.

"The president pointed out last night at the state dinner that his daughter, Sasha, is a very young girl but her class is studying Chinese," Ben Rhodes, a White House deputy national security adviser, said in a video conference with Chinese bloggers.

"She's under 10 years old and they're studying Chinese, and she wanted to have the chance to practice her Chinese with President Hu," he said.

Sasha attended Jintao's welcoming ceremony in the White House lawns with friends. The Chinese president has been in the US for a four-day state visit.

The little girl was seen waving a Chinese flag excitedly as her father and Hu walked around the grounds.

"Not every (child) has the opportunity to try out their first phrases of Chinese with the president of China, but she had that chance," said Rhodes.

He added that the anecdote reflects Americans' desire to familiarize themselves with China.

ANI