Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (L4) watch a football game in Sydney, March 25, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Premier Li Keqiang and his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull watched a football game on Saturday in Sydney, the latest sports event the premier has participated in with other countries' leaders.

Both leaders joined the audience before the Sydney Swans Football Club started a home game against the guest team from Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.

Li talked with players and coaches and then threw a ball that Turnbull caught with both arms. The two leaders later joined representatives of the Australia Football League and both teams. Li presented souvenirs to the teams and was reciprocated with indigenously-inspired gifts.

Sports events, as a form of leisure, have been an iconic element of Premier Li's diplomatic trips.

In September, Premier Li and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau served a ball together to start an ice hockey game at the home court of Montreal Canadiens when the premier was visiting the Canadian city.

Early in the morning, Li and Turnbull took a walk at the Royal Botanic Garden near the Sydney Bay. The two leaders talked with locals and overseas visitors, some of whom were from various parts of China.

Li arrived in Sydney on Friday afternoon, following his schedules in the country's capital of Canberra. He is leaving for New Zealand on Sunday.