国际英语新闻：U.S. to discuss space, cyber-security with Australia

MELBOURNE, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. will discuss increasing military cooperation with Australia in global security, including the role of space activities, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a news conference in Australia on Saturday.

Clinton on Saturday touched down in Melbourne of Australia for the annual Australia-United States Ministerial (AUSMIN) talks.

The AUSMIN meetings, to be attended by Australian foreign and defense ministers, and the U.S. secretaries of state and defense, will take place on Monday in Melbourne, and will focus on regional and global security issues, including the war in Afghanistan.

"I think it's going to be an issue of discussion at AUSMIN about the cooperation on a range of matters, including space, cyber-security and so much else," Clinton said in a press conference in Melbourne on Saturday night.

"The U.S. is engaged in this process from both a foreign ministry and defense ministry perspective, but I am not going to pre-judge the outcome of our discussions which are truly ongoing.

"AUSMIN represents a point on a spectrum because these conversations never stop about what's needed."

Meanwhile, Clinton said Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is "very knowledgeable" about China, and that Rudd will be making recommendations to the U.S. about China, in an effort to build a cooperative and comprehensive relationship with China, as it rises on the global stage.

Rudd, who also joined the press conference in Melbourne on Saturday night, said the Australia-U.S. relationship is a " friendship that has stood the test of time".