BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Japan has become the third foreign country after France and Italy to co-sponsor an international fair for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in China's southern Guangdong Province.

    The annual event from Sept. 15 to 18 will mark the 35th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations and facilitate cooperation among SMEs, said Ou Xinqian, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission.

    Initiated in 2004, the China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair hosts participants from home and abroad, who can attend forums and lectures, explore financing opportunities and exchange business experience.

    Sponsors of the fourth fair include Japan's Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade; Guangdong provincial government; Chinese ministries of commerce and finance; China Banking Regulatory Commission; and State Administration of Industry and Commerce.

    The co-sponsoring agreement was written into the Joint Press Communique signed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during Wen's visit to Tokyo in April.

    France and Italy were invited to co-sponsor the second and third CISMEFs as a gesture of the Chinese government to facilitate trade cooperation with the two countries.

    Almost 4,000 enterprises from 50 countries and regions attended the previous session. Italy, the co-sponsor, sent its largest ever delegation of 1,400 people involving 714 enterprises.