Pacific big enough for all of us: Clinton

PERTH, Australia, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has flagged increased cooperation between the United States and China as critical to the stability of the Pacific at the close of bilateral talks with Australian defense officials in Perth Wednesday.

Clinton also praised the U.S.-Australia alliance at the end of the annual Australia-U.S. Ministerial (AUSMIN) talks at Perth's State Reception Center with Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith, Foreign Minister Bob Carr as well as U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

The former First Lady said the close relationship between Australia and her country could only serve to foster closer ties with China.

"Let me state the obvious, that the U.S. and Australia have been close allies and friends for decades. Not only security ties, but commercial ties, personal ties, cultural ties... Our relationship between the two of us is among the strongest of any two countries in the world.

"By the same token we recognize that increased cooperation with China is mutually beneficial.

"So this is not a zero sum competition. Rather it is up to Australia and the U.S. to lead the way in demonstrating that the strong relationship with us can also foster strong, healthy relations with China," she said.