The Asian Development Bank has signalled it will inject more cash into high-quality projects aimed at dealing with climate change and tourism and less on infrastructure "white elephants" as it battles pressure to counter the growing influence of China across the Pacific.

Bank president Takehiko Nakao, on his first visit to Australia in three years, told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that it wants to ensure "high-quality" infrastructure is put in place that does not leave recipient nations facing long-term and growing debts.

Asian Development Bank president Takehiko Nakao says not investing in white elephants is important for future infrastructure development. Credit:Rob Homer

Australia is a founding member of the development bank that was started in 1966 as a way of delivering loans and assistance to developing parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

In recent years it has faced increased competition, particularly from the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The United States has heavily supported the development bank since its creation and has expressed concern about nations joining the AIIB, including Australia.