Organizers of the upcoming Australian Football League game in China hope that it will be "key to repairing Australia's ties with Beijing," according to Michael Smith of the AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW. What initially "sounded like a crazy idea" has become the only major event in China this year showcasing Australian business, food, wine and sport. About 5,000 Australian fans are traveling to Shanghai for the May 19 match between Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast Suns. The organizers said that another 3,000 business people and around 4,000 local Chinese will also attend the event, "which has sold out after seating capacity was increased this year." Port Adelaide said that sports diplomacy "could play a role mending Sino-Australia relations even though most Chinese people have never heard of Australian rules football." Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas said, "There will be a time when governments will utilize this game to demonstrate the depth of our relationship at a political level. Because we had such high level recognition and support last year, that will happen again once the political environment settles down again. If our game can play a role in helping demonstrate the strength of our bilateral relationship that would be a great outcome" (AFR, 5/7).
