Australia's Prime Minister visited Fiji and met the South Pacific nation's leader, amid heightened security measures in the Indo-Pacific to counter China's rising influence.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a brief stop in Fiji on Wednesday after he attended a summit meeting with the US and Britain, a three-country partnership known as AUKUS. Earlier this week, AUKUS unveiled a comprehensive security program which includes a plan for Australia to buy US-made nuclear-powered submarines.

Albanese met his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka to discuss issues including the submarine plan. Local media say Rabuka expressed his support for the plan. He reportedly said Albanese assured him AUKUS would not undermine Fiji's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation.

Some Pacific nations suffered from the effects of nuclear experiments by US and France after World War Two. Fiji is among countries which have signed the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.

Australia plans to buy three of the latest US fast-attack submarines in the early 2030s with an option to purchase two more. The program aims to eventually build nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.

Beijing has reacted harshly to the trilateral plan, saying it will harm regional peace and stability. China has been increasing its presence in the Pacific region, as it competes for influence with the US and Australia.