China and Australia on Monday signed a series of agreements and documents designed to strengthen economic and trade relations and bilateral cooperation in other fields.

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who held talks earlier Monday, witnessed the inking of eight inter-governmental agreements and documents, including an agreement for cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy and an agreement on the transfer of nuclear energy.

The others include a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, a statement of intent on agricultural technical cooperation program, a program for young scientists exchange, and three memorandums of understanding on establishing high-level economic cooperation dialog, on cooperation in coal mine safety, and on cooperation in education and training respectively.

Besides, related ministries or departments from both sides also signed several protocols or cooperative documents concerning issues including Australia's exports of citrus fruits and edible deer products to China.

Meanwhile, a number of commercial contracts and deals on mineral products, natural gas, electric power were also signed.

Source: Xinhua