Australian Prime Minister John Winston Howard arrived in Beijing Monday afternoon, starting a working visit to China.

This is Howard's fifth visit to China as Prime Minister. During his visit, he is scheduled to meet or hold talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Besides Beijing, he will also visit China's southernmost island province of Hainan and attend the 2005 Boao Forum for Asia. His entourage includes his wife and government officials.

Prior to the visit, Howard told the press his visit would focus on the full range of two country's relations including trade, economic issues and other important issues, especially the next step down the road towards China-Australia free trade. He and Chinese leaders are expected to announce the start of the bilateral free trade agreement negotiations, according to Howard.

Describing China as an "important trading, economic and political partner" of Australia, he said Australia has been seeking ways to further diversify and strengthen bilateral relationship.

Howard said his visit is a "very significant" one, which he will use to further strengthen the existing valuable and important ties.

Howard was first elected Prime Minister in March 1996 and won the fourth term in October 2004, which made him become Australia's second-longest serving prime minister. He visited China in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.