Sydney Festival’s first major international sponsorship was announced by NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, The Hon. Barry O’Farrell, in Guangzhou today, with China Southern Airlines joining Sydney Festival as a Leadership Partner.

China Southern will be the Official Airline for Sydney Festival 2012 and will co-sponsor The Domain Concert Series, featuring the free outdoor concerts Summer Sounds and Symphony in The Domain, alongside co-sponsor ANZ. The Airline’s other associations include the Ferrython on Sydney Harbour on Australia Day.

Mr O’Farrell said he was delighted with the agreement, “This is the most significant international sponsorship ever obtained by Sydney Festival and the first by a Chinese company.