Australia announced a security guarantee to the Pacific Islands nation of Tuvalu to respond to military aggression.
It will protect the Island from climate change and boost migration in a pact aimed at countering China's influence in the Pacific.
Under the treaty, Australia will implement a special visa arrangement to allow Tuvaluans to work, study and live in Australia.
This is not a refugee visa, but rather will allow up to 280 Tuvaluans (from a population of around 11,200) to migrate to Australia each year — presumably on a permanent basis.