It is Howard's fourth visit to China and his first since new leadership headed by President Hu Jintao took over the running of the world's most populous nation earlier this year.

He opened his day-long session of talks at Beijing's Great Hall of the People with Premier Wen Jiabao and will also meet Hu, parliamentary chief Wu Bangguo and former president Jiang Zemin.

Despite hosting US deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage last week, Howard said he was carrying no message from the US administration.

"I'm not carrying any messages for anybody except messages from the Australian people and messages from my own government," he told reporters on his arrival late Sunday.

"We have a full-blown, very mature, very constructive relationship with China."

Howard, a key ally of US President George W. Bush, said that while the main purpose of his trip was to become acquainted with China's new leaders, he would urge them to continue using their leverage on North Korea.

China has spearheaded the drive to bring Pyongyang to the negotiating table with five other nations in Beijing next week over its nuclear ambitions and Howard said he hopes to discuss how the talks might make progress.

"We have in the past pointed out how influential China is in relation to North Korea and I will continue to do that," he said.

Australia has offered to provide experts and help in any verification program concerning North Korea's weapons programs.

It has also been outspoken on the need for Beijing to take an active role on persuading Pyongyang to abandon its suspected smuggling of illegal drugs and weapons of mass destruction.

Australia in 1997 became the first country to engage China in bilateral dialogue on human rights and this ongoing dialogue was also being discussed Monday.

"We have a human rights dialogue and I will be indicating that we're well pleased with the progress that's being made on that," Howard said.

Another issue that Howard indicated may be broached is the detention by the Myanmar junta of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

China is Myanmar's main international sponsor and trading partner but has refused to apply pressure on its neighbour over what it terms is Myanmar's "internal affairs", prompting sharp criticism from the United States.

Myanmar's number-two leader Deputy Senior General Maung Aye is also in China, arriving Sunday with a 32-strong delegation although there is no indication that his path will cross Howard's.

Building on strong bilateral trade and economic ties will also be on Howard's mind.

Since the two countries forged diplomatic realtions 31 years ago, China has become Australia's third largest trading partner and fourth largest export market, with two-way trade worth 23 billion dollars (15 billion US) in 2002.

China also provides the largest overseas student group in Australia and is the second largest source of tourists to Australia. The two countries are also set to work together on Beijing's preparations for the 2008 Olympics.

WAR.WIRE