In a direct reference to Chinese military expansion in the South China Sea and its claims over Taiwan,the statement said:“We strongly oppose any coercive,provocative or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo and increase tensions in the area,such as the militarisation of disputed features.”

Biden triggered headlines on Monday when asked in Tokyo if he was willing to “get involved militarily” to defend Taiwan and responded:“Yes. That’s the commitment we made.”

Asked about his stance on Tuesday,Albanese said there was no shift in Australia’s position that there should be “no unilateral change to the status quo” but did not canvass the issue of a military response.

The Quad meeting was only the second face-to-face gathering of the leaders after former prime ministerScott Morrison attended the first in Washington DC last year. Albanese used the occasion to commit his government to the partnership and invite the leaders to a Quad meeting in Australia next year.

Albanese acknowledged the China-Solomons pact was discussed and said his message to the security partners was that his government would add $500 million inaid to the Pacific and take greater action on climate change,a key issue that would help ties with the island nations.

Speaking to reporters after the formal Quad meeting and a working lunch with the other leaders,Albanese said the talks canvassed the atrocities in Ukraine and he had told the meeting that Australia had delivered on every request for assistance including the shipment of Bushmaster vehicles.

“Russia must pay a price for its actions. It’s as simple as that,” he said.

Albanese indicated he and Biden spoke to the Quad meeting about the importance of the AUKUS alliance on the development of a nuclear-powered submarine fleet for Australia,although he would not be drawn on a statement from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday that backed the idea of expanding the alliance into other fields.

Instead,Albanese emphasised his talks with Johnson on the phone on Monday and with Biden in Tokyo on Tuesday on the need for greater global ambition on climate change,naming this as a security issue rather than an environmental issue alone.

He said the other Quad leaders welcomed Labor’s pledge to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030,a bigger target than the Morrison government.

“We know that China is seeking to exert more influence in the Pacific. And we know that climate change is such an important issue. I share the view that this is a national security issue,” he said.

“Climate change is not just about the environment,it’s about the shape of our economies,but also our national security going forward.”

With Albanese pushing for a stronger message on climate,the final statement from the Quad leaders promised to “deepen collaboration” in areas including climate resilience,saying this would help the region and contribute to growth.

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