Australia, U.S. to build strong relationship with China, Japan, S. Korea: FM

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said Monday that Australia and the United States were committed to build strong relationship with China, Japan and South Korea.

"Australia, U.S. are committed to build strong relationship with China, Japan and Korea," Rudd told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.

Joined by Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday held a media conference in Melbourne to wrap up the AUSMIN (Australia-United States Ministerial) talks.

Clinton earlier praised Australia's efforts to maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and has made it clear the United States is keen to play a greater role in the Asia-Pacific region.

The AUSMIN meetings, on Monday attended by foreign and defense ministers of Australia and the United States, took place at Government House of Victoria in Melbourne.

The talks were set to formalize closer military between the two nations. It has focused on the U.S. Force Posture Review, space, cyber-security, and the war in Afghanistan, among other issues.

The posture review saw the United States to step up its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and to make more use of its military bases in Australia and give greater opportunity for joint training.

"In the defense arena, our ties are long standing and deep," United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.

Australia is the final leg of Clinton's 10-day Asia-Pacific tour, which has taken her to Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. She will fly out of Australia late Monday afternoon.

Source: Xinhua