CANBERRA -- Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday met with his Australian counterpart John Howard to exchange in-depth views on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

After their talks, Wen and Howard witnessed the inking of a series of inter-governmental agreements and documents, including an agreement for bilateral cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and an agreement on the transfer of nuclear material.

The two leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference and have a meeting with personages from Australian industrial and commercial circles.

Wen, who is here on an official visit to the country at the invitation of Howard, will also meet Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery and Opposition leader Kim Beazley later on Monday.

The economic and trade relationship between China and Australia has been developing very rapidly in recent years. The duel-track trade volume between the two countries registered 27.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2005.