The United States wants to build a "trans-Pacific system" for the Asia-Pacific, modeled on the trans-Atlantic relationship forged between the U.S. and Europe, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday, November 10.

"The 21st century will be America's Pacific century," Clinton said in a speech at the East-West Center in Honolulu, on the sidelines of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.

Washington would use "forward-deployed diplomacy" in the Asia-Pacific to strengthen regional integration, promote trade and investment, and build bilateral and multilateral alliances, she said.

Clinton said Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and Thailand would continue their role as the five key U.S. allies in the region.

She said U.S. officials would look to increase engagement with India and Indonesia, "two of the most dynamic, significant democracies."

The U.S. would also seek better ties with Vietnam, Myanmar and China while encouraging them to continue political and economic reforms, Clinton said.

She rejected claims that China's economic, diplomatic and military rise should be seen as a threat.

"We believe a thriving China is good for China ... and good for America," she said. "Expanding our areas of common interest is essential."

Clinton said China needs to address several issues including human rights, nontariff trade barriers and the exchange rate of its currency against the dollar, which critics say makes China's exports artificially cheaper.

"China must allow its currency to appreciate more rapidly," she said, DPA reported.

Founded in 1989, APEC now groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

The 21 economies, with 2.7 billion people, account for some 55 percent of global output.