China Southern Airlines has signed an agreement with the state of Queensland in eastern Australia to promote tourist arrivals from China, Henry He, General Manager of Australia Region and Sydney office, said on Friday.

In an interview at his Sydney office, He said under the cooperative marketing agreement which was signed on Friday in China, China Southern Airlines will start operating three flights per week between Guangzhou in southern China and Brisbane in early November.

The new flight from China's southern city of Guangzhou to Australia's third largest city Brisbane will boost tourism in both countries, He added.

The agreement was signed between the Chinese airline and the Australian Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor who is in China on a trade mission.

"Over the past few months, Tourism Queensland has undertaken a marketing and promotional blitz to encourage more Chinese visitors to fly direct to Queensland," Lawlor said in a statement.

"This has included outdoor advertising in major shopping malls and on public transit systems, print advertising and a range of online, publicity and trade initiatives."

Until now, Chinese visitors have had to transit through Sydney or Melbourne to get to Queensland.