The 12th Yanji Tumen River Area International Investment and Business Forum kicked off in Yanji city in the Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture on Aug 28.

Key topics being discussed at this year's forum include the Belt-and-Road economy in northeastern China, the development of the free trade zone in Hunchun and cross-border tourism.

Nearly 10,000 businessmen and over 100 academicians from 21 countries were invited to participate, particularly in the investment seminar at the Yanji International Convention and Exhibition Center, the Northeast Asia Business Development Forum and the Korean Information and Technology Communication Forum. Exhibitors from countries such as Italy, Japan and Russia will also be seeking business opportunities at the event.

There have been 711 investment contracts with a total value of 123.55 billion yuan ($18.13 billion) signed since the forum first opened in Yanbian in 1995. Themed "Openness, Innovation, Cooperation and Win-win Prosperity", this forum aims to promote cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, push forward the construction of the free trade zone in Hunchun and enhance regional cooperation in infrastructure and tourism in Northeast Asia.

Located on China's northeastern border with Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Yanbian's unique geographical advantage has made it commonly known as "the Golden Triangle of Northeast Asia". The government of Yanbian in the Korean autonomous prefecture hopes to use this forum as an opportunity to bridge the commercial gap between Yanbian and other international cities.