Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer met with Chinese leaders on Monday to discuss ways to resolve North Korea's nuclear standoff and strengthen Sino-Australian relations.

Downer was stopping by Beijing as Canberra's special envoy before heading to North Korea for a two-day visit from Tuesday.

During his meeting with top Chinese officials, including Premier Wen Jiabao, the Australian minister reportedly discussed possible ways of settling North Korea's nuclear standoff.

During his visit to Pyongyang, Downer will urge the North to abandon its nuclear ambitions ahead of the next round of six-nation nuke talks.

Australia was one of the first Western nations to re-establish official ties with Pyongyang in 2000.