A Sino-German forum on the connection between education and the economy has opened in this capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

During the three-day forum, a series of speeches, trade activities, technological consultations and art shows will be held, featuring the development of professional education cooperation between China and Germany over the past 18 years, architecture projects between local enterprises and their German counterparts, city construction with an environmental theme and the traditional culture of the two countries.

Also included in the forum series is a major exhibition highlighting the high-tech products of some 33 German enterprises and dozens of Chinese companies in the fields of architecture, building materials, environmental protection, machinery, chemical materials, heating equipment and boiler technology.

An official in charge of professional education with the Ministry of Education said that China has made big progress in professional education thanks to the valuable experience and cooperation of countries and regions from around the world.

The progress in the sector is of great help to China's economic and social development, the official added.