A visit to China this month by US first lady Michelle Obama will showcase US intimacy with China, draw the two nations closer and increase Chinese people's curiosity about the US first family, according to observers.

On Monday, the White House announced that the visit will take place from March 19 to 26. Obama will be accompanied by her mother, Marian Robinson, and her daughters, Malia and Sasha.

It will be her first trip to China, as she did not accompany her husband on his visit in 2009.