Australia announced on Friday a security guarantee to the Pacific Islands nation of Tuvalu to respond to military aggression, protect it from climate change and boost migration in a pact aimed at countering China¡¯s influence in the Pacific.

Under the treaty announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Tuvalu counterpart, Kausea Natano, Australia will also vet Tuvalu¡¯s security arrangements with other nations.

Albanese said it was Australia¡¯s most significant agreement with a Pacific Island nation, giving ¡°a guarantee that upon a request from Tuvalu for any military assistance based upon security issues, Australia will be there.¡±