A conference is held in Zhangjiagang to deepen cooperation between China and Japan. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

Government officials and corporate executives from Japan and Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, expect to enhance economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges.

At a conference held on April 4, Shuichi Akamatsu, consul-general of Japan in Shanghai, said many Japanese companies involved in sectors such as chemicals and automobiles have set up subsidiaries in Zhangjiagang in recent years and benefited from the city's strong business environment.

Akamatsu said he hopes to see more cooperation between Japan and Zhangjiagang in industries such as electronic parts, energy conservation, and environmental protection, and that Zhangjiagang can leverage its rich culture to promote bilateral exchanges.

Jin Shangjun, deputy head of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, said in his video address that the Sino-Japanese (Suzhou) Regional Cooperation Demonstration Zone, established in 2020, has brought about more cooperation in sectors like intelligent manufacturing, healthcare, and new energy.

Jin expressed hope that Zhangjiagang and Japan can take advantage of the demonstration zone to develop high-tech industries and the modern services industry together.

To date, Zhangjiagang has established friendships with several Japanese cities, including Marugame city in Kagawa prefecture and Eiheiji town in Fukui prefecture. It is currently home to 80 Japanese companies, which represent $638 million in investment.