CQUniversity student Shaowei 'Terry' Yang is following in the footsteps of his compatriots from China's special trading zones, who have spent the past 30 years igniting business and trade along the east coast of the massive country.

Terry, 29, has just spent a year away from his role representing the chamber of commerce from the western province of Qinghai, which is relatively small in Chinese terms, with 5 million people and a capital (Xining) which has 1.5 million people.

Shaowei 'Terry' Yang says a final farewell to Rockhampton Campus, before heading home to China

Normally a business globetrotter who travels throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East with trade delegations, Terry has spent his 12 months in quieter surroundings at CQUniversity Rockhampton, to complete his Master of Management (International Business) degree. He came with the help of an Australian Government scholarship.

He will return home in March to his Chinese workplace and girlfriend and hopes to resume his 'travelling business rep' role, this time with an additional academic background and extra English practice.

Terry says he has enjoyed living close to the campus and being able to walk to lectures, while having friends who can drive him around further afield. He says Rockhampton people have been very friendly and helpful and have invited him to social events.

"I have really enjoyed swimming in the pool at the sports centre," he said.