Montreal Canadiens host Trudeau, Premier Li for hockey game

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau face off with Montreal Canadiens NHL hockey players Joel Hanley and Jacob de la Rose at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, Sept 23, 2016. Photo Provided to China Daily

MONTREAL, Canada - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday visited renowned Canadian ice hockey team Montreal Canadiens, and dropped the first puck for a training match.

Accompanied by his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, Li traveled to Bell Centre, and the two leaders were briefed about the history of the club, which was founded in 1909 and has won 24 National Hockey League championships.

In the team's locker room, Li and Trudeau were presented with Montreal Canadiens jerseys emblazoned with their respective names and the number 1.

"It fits me well," said Li, who added that with the jersey he became an honorary member of Montreal Canadiens.

Wearing the jerseys, Li and Trudeau then entered the rink, giving high fives with young players waiting for them.

Li said he was pleased to experience Canada's national sport together with Trudeau in Montreal, the cradle of ice hockey.

Then the two leaders dropped the ceremonial first puck for a training game of young players of Chinese origin and cheered from time to time the energetic moves of the children.

Li arrived in Montreal from Ottawa, where he kicked off his first Canada trip as Chinese premier on Wednesday. It was also the first visit to Canada by a Chinese head of government in 13 years.

From Montreal, Li will travel to Cuba to continue his ongoing overseas trip, which has already taken him to a series of high-level UN meetings and interactions with US bigwigs in New York.