SINGAPORE, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who is in Singapore on a two-day official visit from Thursday, met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday.

    Both leaders affirmed the strength of bilateral ties and discussed various issues including climate change and the framework for regional cooperation, according to a statement by Singapore's Foreign Ministry.

    They also exchanged views on education and social policies.

    Gillard is also Australia's Minister for Education, Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion. This is her first visit to Singapore as Deputy Prime Minister since she was sworn in last December.

    According to local TV Channel News Asia reports, Gillard said, "The newly-elected Rudd Labour government is determined to bring an education revolution to our nation. We have a high-quality education system, but we want to make it even better. And what I’m doing here today is talking about the kinds of education policies that Singapore have adopted and that we may be able to learn from."