ADELAIDE, Australia, June 16 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Sunday that China is ready to continue cooperation with Australia on panda protection and research, and hopes that Australia will always be a friendly home for giant pandas.

He made the remarks when visiting the Adelaide Zoo for China-Australia cooperation in panda protection and research. Adelaide Zoo hosts Wang Wang and Fu Ni, the Southern Hemisphere's only pair of giant pandas.

Wang Wang and Fu Ni will return to China this year as agreed by the two sides, he noted.