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Prime Minister Edward Natapei of Vanuatu arrived in Shanghai on June 30 for a seven-day visit at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. On the same day, the 16-member Pacific Islands Forum unanimously agreed to a request to help restore law and order in the Solomon Islands. However, Vanuatu Prime Minister's Office spokesman Daniel Bangtor expressed reservations about the intrusive mission.

Natapei's visit and Bangtor's statement are interesting. Vanuatu is one of a handful of countries that will join the Australian-led mission in the Solomon Islands. The timing of Natapei's China visit, and Vanuatu's public hesitation over the mission, suggest the tiny island nation could be a conduit for Chinese power in the region.

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