US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has told an audience in Perth that the American influence on Asia is "here to stay".

Mrs Clinton arrived in Perth yesterday for annual strategy and policy talks with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Defence Minister Stephen Smith.

At the launch of a new US-Australasian think tank last night, Mrs Clinton gave a speech about the important relationship between the US, Australia and other countries in the region.

The Perth USAsia Centre will focus on economic, cultural and defence strategies in the region.

Mrs Clinton said the US has always had a presence in the region and considers itself a Pacific power.

She said that presence would only get stronger.