Hillary talks defence in Perth – Too close for China’s comfort?

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is in Perth for a summit to deepen defence links between Australia and the United States.

The annual summit is the first since President Barack Obama visited Australia a year ago and upset  China by announcing that up to 2500 US Marines would rotate through a joint military training hub in the northern Australian city of Darwin.

Around the table will be Clinton, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Foreign Minister Bob Carr.

The American leaders will also meet with Prime Minister Julia Gillard.