CQU Doctor of Business by Research candidate Stephen Lin has visited Vanuatu with the help and sponsorship of that country's tourism office.

Mr Lin, a Chinese media consultant and photographer, spent 12 days gathering photos to promote Vanuatu's cultural and natural tourism resources.

He spent Christmas on Ifara Island with the retired Presbyterian pastor Mr Bakokoto, just offshore from Port Vila, and found out some anecdotes about early Chinese migrants and the cemetery on the island, which will interest Chinese tourists immensely.

During his photographing assignment, Mr Lin had the opportunity to visit villages and learnt the rich history of the Vanuatu people and their relationship with Queensland sugar industry.

“I would urge the descendants of the Australian South Sea Islanders to visit there, to pick up the traditional languages and learn cultural ceremonies, and contribute their skills to the economic growth of Vanuatu, whilst the 400,000 or so Chinese living in Australia can travel to and invest in the island country. The country is full of opportunities," he said.

Mr Lin is also busy writing articles in Chinese for the major Chinese daily newspapers in Sydney and overseas.

"I hope my Vanuatu photographic collection can be launched at the Power House in Brisbane in June, then at Port Vila in July , to coincide with its Independence Day, and a Chinese investment delegation and a South Sea Islanders group from Rocky I am organizing," he said.

Photos: Mr Lin with camera and meeting Vanuatu chief Johnson Sauriara.