THE United States has confirmed it will expand its presence in Australia through combined military exercises and increased American access to ports, bases and test ranges in a move a leading analyst says is designed to counter the rise of China.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said tomorrow's talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defence Secretary Robert Gates would be used as a chance to expand the US presence in Australia.

When Mrs Clinton arrived in Melbourne at 1.30pm yesterday, at least 14 vehicles - including an armoured van - were waiting to transport an entourage of press, diplomatic and security staff. She eventually jogged down the steps from her plane to be greeted with a kiss from Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd.

Shortly after she was ferried away in a black BMW, a jovial Mr Rudd told reporters Mrs Clinton was a welcome guest for the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations, known as AUSMIN.