On March 26, 1982, the People's Republic of China officially established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Vanuatu. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the relations between the two sides have grown smoothly. 

In November 2014, President Xi Jinping met with Vanuatu's Prime Minister Natuman in Fiji and the two sides upgraded the relations to a strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development. In November 2018, President Xi Jinping met with Vanuatu's Prime Minister Salwai in Papua New Guinea and the two sides upgraded the relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development. In July 2024, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Salwai paid an official visit to China, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Salwai, and Premier of the State Council Li Qiang held talks with Prime Minister Salwai. The two sides issued Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Vanuatu, and agreed to upgrade the comprehensive strategic partnership and build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era.

 In 2015, the Confucius Classroom at the Emalus Campus in Vanuatu was established. The Chinese medical teams have been offering free medical services in Vanuatu since 1985. The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark paid a visit to Vanuatu and provided humanitarian medical services to the local people three times, respectively in September 2014, July 2018 and August 2023.