Chinese Premier Li Keqiang began his Saturday in Sydney in a relaxed setting after a series of trade talks this week, prior to the end of his five-day Australian trip.
Premier Li and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull took a morning stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens, during which they stopped occasionally and talked to passersby.
In the afternoon, Li and Turnbull attended an Australian Football League (AFL) match between the Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull watch an AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power at Sydney Cricket Ground on March 25, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. /Gov.cn Photo
Wanting to stay impartial, the Chinese premier asked for a red and white scarf, Sydney Swans' team scarf, after the Port Adelaide club chairman David Koch handed the premier his team scarf.
"I insisted I get another scarf rooting for the Sydney Swans," said Li.
"On this occasion, wearing two scarves is making me really hot."
“I am sure there will be fans of this great sport in China."
Li also invited Turnbull to China later this year, promising there would be no shortage of scarves to keep the Australian prime minister warm.
"There's a bit of scarf competition ... but we're all friends here. Friends of Australia and Australian football," Turnbull said.
The game ended with Port Adelaide scoring a 28-point upset win over the Swans.
In addition to the game, Li also met with New South Wales premier, Gladys Berejiklian.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets the New South Wales premier, Gladys Berejiklian, on March 25, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. /Gov.cn Photo
Li stated that this was his third visit to Sydney, and that he was very pleased to meet Berejiklian. Li thanked the Australian side for their hospitality and arrangements for the visit.
On the eve of his departure from Australia, Li and his wife Cheng Hong attended a welcoming dinner held by the Australian Chinese community.
Li addressed his best wishes to the Chinese community and thanked them for being the messengers of the friendship between China and Australia.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech at a welcoming dinner held by the Australian Chinese community on March 25, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. /Gov.cn Photo
Li has spent the past several days talking up China’s commitment to free trade and globalization, at a time when protectionist and populist sentiments are on the rise in many nations.
Li and Turnbull oversaw the signing of agreements that would expand the China-Australia free trade pact. China also agreed to expand its market for Australian chilled beef exporters.
China is Australia's biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding 107 billion dollars and bilateral investment exceeding 100 billion dollars.
