Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province will hold the Taihu East Asian Entrepreneurs Forum on May 17 to deepen economic and trade cooperation with Japan and South Korea, local media reported on May 12.

The forum will encourage companies from the three countries to further cooperate in the strengthening of industrial connectivity and improve the stability and competitiveness of industrial and supply chains. 

About 630 participants, including 373 business people from 277 Japanese and South Korean companies, will attend the forum and witness the achievements of Jiangsu's cooperation with Japan and South Korea, the launch of an online service platform for talents in Japanese and South Korean companies in Jiangsu, as well as a proposal initiated by Japanese, South Korean and Jiangsu local entrepreneurs.

Another five activities related to industrial and talent cooperation between East Asian nations will be arranged. These activities include a roundtable discussion on industrial cooperation under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and meetings on talent cooperation and industrial innovation.

According to Zhao Jianjun, director of the Commerce Department of Jiangsu, the province boasts solid economic and trade cooperation ties with Japan and South Korea. Statistics show that Japan is ranked fifth and third in terms of trading partner and foreign investment source respectively, while South Korea is ranked fourth and fifth.

"Jiangsu has formed 36 and 29 sister city pairings with Japan and South Korea respectively, the most in China. It has also achieved fruitful results in cooperation in areas like education, science and technology, culture, tourism, and sports," Zhao said.

The forum logo, which signifies East Asian entrepreneurs working together to seek economic development and mutual benefits, was also unveiled that day.