A forum on economic cooperation between China and India opened Wednesday in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province.

Dozens of eminent Chinese and Indian experts, scholars and entrepreneurs discussed bilateral relations and the potential for increased cooperation under the WTO framework, especially in industrial and scientific and technological areas.

They also probed the vital role the two nations play in promoting cooperation in the south Asian region, the problems facing sustained development in developing nations, as well as environment issues.

Strategic alliances between enterprises of the two nations and using comparative advantages of both nations was also on the agenda.

Trade volume between China and India, the two largest developing countries, did not match the economic development of the two nations, said experts.

China's official statistics show that bilateral trade between the two nations exceeded US$4.9 billion in 2002, up 37 percent year-on year, and reached US$2.9 billion during the first five months of this year, up 70 percent year-on-year. Bilateral trade is expected to reach US$10 billion in 2005.

The forum was sponsored jointly by the China Shenzhen Comprehensive Development Research Institute, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the India Gandhi research institute.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2003)