Australian orchestra launches partnership with China Philharmonic Orchestra

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) has launched an official partnership with the China Philharmonic Orchestra, which will see the Australian orchestra performing in Beijing in 2017.

Leaders from both organizations gathered in Perth on Wednesday for the launch of the partnership, which was described by WASO chairwoman Janet Holmes a Court as one of the "most significant relationships that any Western orchestra has in China."

The program was given the go-ahead back in February after the federal government announced a 39,000 U.S dollar grant to the WASO to develop a "symphony cultural bridge" between the two nations' classical music organizations.

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra was not expected to announce concerts in China when the funding was granted, but the decision to tour was aimed at strengthening trading and cultural ties with one of Western Australia's biggest trading partners.

China Philharmonic Orchestra president Li Nan said building a relationship in arts between the two nations was important.

"As the economic relationship between China and Australia, particularly Western Australia, grows to ever greater levels, it is most important that cultural understanding grows strongly as well," he said.

Musicians from both orchestras have organized cross-nation visits in the coming years, which is expected to strengthen ties between the Western Australia and China.

During 2014, three members of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra performed shows with the China Philharmonic Orchestra throughout China.

Musicians from the CPO have also announced that they will perform classical pieces in Perth schools, hospitals and at the University of Western Australia throughout 2015. Endi