As part of her week-long trip to China, US First Lady Michelle Obama visited Peking University in Beijing where she told an audience of around 200 that Internet freedom is a universal right, Reuters reported.

Addressing US and Chinese students in the prestigious university, Obama emphasized the importance of the free exchange of ideas. She said, "It is so important for information and ideas to flow freely over the internet and through the media." She added, "My husband and I are on the receiving end of plenty of questioning and criticism from our media and our fellow citizens, and it's not always easy. But I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

However, Obama did not go as far as asking China to give more freedoms to its citizens. Her trip to China is a goodwill visit where she is expected to establish ties through "soft diplomacy" and not delve on more difficult political matters. The First Lady, who is visiting China together with her mom and two daughters, will concentrate on furthering education and promoting cultural ties. Their itinerary includes the Great Wall, Xian and Chengdu, the report said.

China is known for the restrictions it imposes on online freedoms. Because censorship is widespread, Internet users in the country are unable to get news and information concerning hotly-debated topics unless they have specialized software that would allow them to move past the restrictions imposed by the government. The US has been a vocal critic of the poor record of human rights in China, which included the lack of protection it has on speech freedoms, the report said.

Max Baucus, the Ambassador of the US to China also delved on Internet freedom before Obama addressed the students. He said, "Between texting, Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat we're all interconnected." China, however, does not allow Twitter and Facebook, the report said.