One of the Pacific's most vocal leaders has said China's growing presence and influence in the region is "disturbing", and Australia's attempts to strengthen ties to the Pacific are doomed to fail if it does not adequately address climate change.

Key points: Climate change is Tuvalu's greatest threat

Climate change is Tuvalu's greatest threat Mr Sopoaga said China's influence in the Pacific "translates to intrusion"

Mr Sopoaga said China's influence in the Pacific "translates to intrusion" Pacific leaders could not come to a full agreement during PIF with Australia

Enele Sopoaga was Tuvalu's Prime Minister when the country hosted the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in August, where Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison was criticised by Pacific leaders for stymieing efforts for greater collective action to combat climate change.

Mr Sopoaga said Mr Morrison's Pacific Step-Up policy does not adequately deal with the issues of climate change.

"You can talk and you can write and you can propose a lot of strategies and plans for economic growth but without dealing with the issues of climate change all those efforts will be severely compromised," he said.

Mr Sopoaga is now an opposition MP after losing the prime ministership following elections last month, and is in Australia to speak at a national conference for development NGOs.

He said he was disappointed by Mr Morrison's approach during the negotiations, which he believes was at odds with Pacific values of respect and trust.

"In a family atmosphere you don't openly challenge and argue," he said.

"I was expecting much more meaningful delivery from the leaders of our close neighbours Australia and New Zealand."

Mr Sopoaga said his country is grateful to Australians for their assistance, particularly in areas such as maritime security, health and education.

But he said climate change is the region's greatest threat and Australia must do more to cut carbon emissions and wean itself of coal exports and coal-fired power.

China's involvement in the Pacific an 'intrusion'

Tuvalu is now one of only four Pacific Islands countries that maintain ties with Taiwan. ( ABC News: Jarrod Fankhauser )

The former prime minister also expressed concern at China's growing presence and influence in the region, calling it "disturbing" and an "intrusion".

Tuvalu is now one of only four Pacific Island countries that maintain ties with Taiwan after Solomon Islands and Kiribati formalised diplomatic relations with China last month.

"I don't think I would ever accept a communist country coming to Tuvalu and the Pacific," he said.

Beijing has been known to put pressure on countries that side with Taiwan, for example, placing a ban on Chinese tourists to Palau last year that left hotels empty and an airline in limbo.

"China can have its own policies and actions that we respect but we must also maintain our own values and principles", Mr Sopoaga said, referring to a "global understanding based on equality" and democracy.

Mr Sopoaga also added that the decision of other Pacific nations to ditch ties with Taiwan not long after PIF was "unfortunate" and "untimely".

"We are seeing unexpected investment and activities that are almost overwhelming to the standard of small island countries," he told the ABC.

"Big chunks of islands and lands being consumed for special economic zones … to the expense of influence and decision making in these small islands."

Tuvalu: the poster child for climate change

Enele Sopoaga and Scott Morrison at the 2019 Pacific Islands Forum in Funafuti, Tuvalu. ( AAP: Mick Tsikas )

Tuvalu is one of the smallest and least-visited nations on Earth, made up of nine atolls with a combined land area of 26 square kilometres.

Like most of the Pacific, Tuvalu is on the frontlines of climate change due to rising seas, given the country's 4.5-metre high point and average elevation of less than 2 metres.

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Tuvalu also has no supply of safe freshwater, and has previously declared a state of emergency because of a severe shortage.

Mr Sopoaga was seeking an agreement on the Tuvalu Declaration to take to the UN's Climate Action Forum in New York following PIF. However, Pacific leaders and Mr Sopoaga himself could not convince Australia to fully endorse it.

Earlier this year, Mr Morrison pledged $500 million to help Pacific nations invest in renewable energy and "climate and disaster resilience" over the next five years, but the money would be redirected from existing aid programs rather than being additional support.

While Mr Sopoaga told the ABC he respects Australia's support, he said "urgent action is needed", including a commitment from Australia on the reduction of emissions.

"It's not about numbers, it's really to see the concrete actions being done both at the ground level and the global level," he said.