Vice Premier of China Liu Yandong, the highest-ranking female in the Communist party, greets a class of local children who performed Chinese songs to honor her visit. Erica Christian | Photo EditorUniversity President Steven Knapp has long stressed ties to China, and will join the 10-member international governing body of the Confucius Institutes next month. GW opened its own institute in April, which promotes the study of Chinese language and culture. Erica Christian | Photo EditorYandong told the crowd of administrators and students that she wants to improve educational connections between the U.S. and China. During her four-day U.S. visit, she also visited with Secretary of State John Kerry. Erica Christian | Photo Editor