Bill Bryant is Sydney Festival’s Executive Director Josephine Ridge

China Southern Airlines (CZ) became a Leadership Partner and the Official Airline of Sydney Festival because it wanted to celebrate important links not only between Sydney and China Southern’s home city of Guangzhou but between China and Australia as well.

“In 1985 Sydney and Guangzhou formed a Sister City relationship.  Twenty five years on we are very happy to be able to celebrate that milestone by supporting one of Sydney’s best-loved events,” said China Southern’s Australia-New Zealand Manager Henry He.

“Just as importantly we are deeply honored to be able to mark links that go right back to the 1860s, when thousands of people from Guangdong Province, which is Old Canton, flocked to the Australian goldfields, many staying on to become Australian citizens.”

Mr He said China Southern’s focus on Guangzhou and Southern China meant it was ideally placed to become the key transportation link between Australia and China.

“Not only is Guangzhou two hours closer to Australia than Beijing, it provides an exciting and very affordable way to experience the best China has to offer, from its rich cultural traditions right through to the modern manufacturing miracle that is driving the nation’s growth.

“Guangzhou tends to be overshadowed by Beijing and Shanghai, yet it has very similar cultural roots, is the nation’s third largest city, and is a short train ride to such familiar locations as Hong Kong and Macau.

“But it is probably our wonderful Cantonese food, led by the great yum cha culinary tradition, that perhaps most sets Guangzhou and Guangdong Province apart.

“Australians also visit Guangzhou to find shopping bargains available along traditional strips or in new, uber luxury malls, ride the world’s highest bubble tram atop Canton Tower, take a relaxing Pearl River cruise, sample local wilderness and cultural tours and treat themselves to a stay in some of the world’s newest and most stylish hotels.”

Mr He said China Southern itself was undergoing major expansion in Australia, with additional flights going into Melbourne and Brisbane and a new direct Perth service beginning on November 8.

“China Southern has been flying into Sydney for the past 10 years.  We are now spreading our wings to offer Sydneysiders and Australians the chance to fly with us not only to every part of China but to 132 cities around the world,” Mr He added.

For information visit www.flychinasouthern.com.