The high-level visits come amidst a climate of debate about China's growing influence in the Pacific region, which some close observers and Australia's opposition say is a result of Australia "dropping the ball" on the Pacific.
So the way in which the Australian Government engages with the Vanuatu leader over the next week will come under heavy scrutiny.
One of those closely watching will be lawyer and academic, Dr Siobahn McDonnell, from the Australian National University's College of Asia and the Pacific.
