Australia has signed a bilateral security pact with neighboring Papua New Guinea. The deal between the two countries is seen as an attempt by Australia to counter China's growing influence in the Pacific region.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape in Canberra on Thursday to ink the agreement.

It bolsters cooperation in areas including defense, policing, maritime and aviation security. The deal also says the two nations will consult and collaborate if there is a threat to peace or an external armed attack on either country.

Albanese called the agreement "comprehensive and historic." He said that the pact will make it easier for Australia to help PNG address its internal security needs and for both countries to support each other's security and the region's stability.

Canberra will provide about 130 million US dollars for police training and infrastructure to help PNG double its force to 10,000 officers by the end of 2027.

Marape highlighted the significance of the pact. But he said his country will not pick sides in the growing rivalry between regional powers, including China.

Last year, China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands. The US, Australia and New Zealand are concerned that the deal could lead to an increased Chinese military presence in the South Pacific.

It's believed that Australia wants to keep China in check by strengthening cooperation with Papua New Guinea, the most populous island nation in the region.