The government of  Philippines and Australia shored up their security and economic alliance Friday with the signing of a strategic partnership, as they seek to counter China's growing regional influence.

The agreement was finalised following a meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Manila.

Albanese's visit, which marks the first bilateral talks with an Australian prime minister in Manila in 20 years, followed a series of trips by senior members of his government to the archipelago nation since Marcos took office in 2022.

Under a strategic partnership, the countries will seek to expand cooperation in several areas from defence and security to climate change and education.

Albanese told officials, diplomats and reporters after the two leaders signed the agreement that; "This elevation is an important symbol of the strength of our relationship and our shared commitment to do more together,"

At the start of talks, Marcos thanked Albanese for his "strong support" for the Philippines as it seeks to fend off maritime claims that are "not valid", in a thinly veiled reference to China.

"To have friends like you and partners like you especially on that subject is very gratifying and encourages us to continue down that path," Marcos told Albanese.

Albanese described the two countries as "great friends" and expressed hope that his visit would help take the relationship "to an even higher level".

The partnership is the highest level of bilateral ties that Australia has had with the Philippines, as Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, ignoring an international ruling that its stance has no legal basis.

Philippine ex-president Rodrigo Duterte pivoted away from his country's traditional security partners towards China, but the Marcos administration has sought to reverse the stance.

Australian and Filipino troops last month held a major joint exercise near the contested waters, as the event was watched by Marcos, his defence minister Gilberto Teodoro and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles.