US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived Thursday, starting a brief visit to Timor Leste in efforts to boost US ties with the Southeast Asian state.

During her one-day visit in the country, Clinton was scheduled to meet with Timor Leste President Tour Matan Ruak and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

Clinton's visit is the first by a US secretary of state to the new nation since its independence in 2002.

She also planned to donate $6.5 million funds for Timor Leste students studying in the United States.

The visit is expected to smooth the membership process for Timor Leste to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Clinton is scheduled to leave for Brunei after her visit in Timor Leste.