Japan and Australia are strengthening security ties in the face of China's increasing maritime activities.

The two countries have signed a treaty for facilitated defense and security cooperation. Other than the United States, Australia is the first country with which Japan has signed such a pact.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison in a virtual summit on Thursday.

The pact sets a framework for the legal status and procedures when Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military hold joint drills and other activities in each other's countries. They will also set up a joint committee to discuss operational issues.

With China in mind, the two leaders expressed serious concerns about the situation in the East and South China seas. They also agreed to oppose any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force.

Richard McGregor, an Australian expert on Japan-Australia relations, said, "Japan is a natural partner of Australia" as China rises in the region.

He said the treaty with Japan is also a symbol for the rest of the region and will prompt other countries in the Indo-Pacific to make similar deals.