The province of Shandong in East China will host a high-profile event to further enhance exchange and cooperation with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, according to a news conference held on March 18 by the Information Office of Shandong Provincial People's Government.

The event focusing on boosting cooperation with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan is set to open on March 23 via online channels, said Shandong officials at a news conference held on March 18. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The event will be held via both online and offline channels, with the main venue set in Jinan, the provincial capital. The province's 16 cities will serve as sub-venues.

More than 1,000 representatives from government departments, business organizations and industry leaders in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan will attend the event through online channels.

According to Shandong officials, a batch of projects, mainly involving equipment manufacturing, new generation information technology, medical care, new energy and new materials, and modern agriculture, will be signed at the event.

China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are important sources of external investment and trading partners of Shandong province, said officials.

Last year, despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, Shandong posted steady growth in trade with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

Shandong's actual investment from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan hit $13.68 billion, up 22.4 percent year-on-year, accounting for 77.5 percent of the province's total, while its imports and exports trade with the three regions reached 87.19 billion yuan ($13.4 billion), up 39 percent year-on-year, accounting for 4 percent of the province's total.