United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers a speech at the East-West Center in Honolulu, capital of Hawaii state, Nov. 10, 2011. Hillary Clinton said on Thursday that the 21st century will be the U.S. Pacific Century. (Xinhua/Wang Fengfeng)

HONOLULU, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday said here the 21st century will be the United States` Pacific Century.

Cliton said as the war in Iraq winds down and efforts in Afghanistan to transition begins, the administration is to pivot its diplomatic efforts elsewhere, namely the Asia-Pacific region.

Clinton said Asia stands out as where future opportunities will be, as it hosts several largest and fast growing economies, and consequential challenges such as military build up and natural disasters.

Clinton made the remarks before leaders from 21 economies of the Asia-Pacific rim are to meet in Honolulu for their annual Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which the United States hosts.

Clinton indicated the administration is to demonstrate it`s " here to stay."

"Yes we can, and yes we will," she said.

After the APEC meeting, which will be hosted by President Barack Obama, the president will travel to Australia while Clinton will head to Manila, the Philippines and Bangkok, Thailand. She will meet up with Obama at Bali, Indonesia for the East Asia Summit.

At the APEC, Clinton said the United States will drive an agenda including promoting green growth, regional integration and next generation regional trade agreements represented by the Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP).

While not an APEC endeavor, TPP is an initiative the United States is actively pursuing at the summit. Clinton said the agreement will not only promote more growth, but "better growth."

Editor: Mu Xuequan