Based on its distinctive disciplines and talent sources, Soochow University enhances its cooperation with other colleges, universities, research institutes, regional government, associations, societies, and various industries and enterprises. In recent years, the university has launched comprehensive cooperation in nearly 60 programs with 13 municipal and regional administrations, including the governments of Suzhou, Kunming, Panjin, Fuzhou, and Fangchenggang, which have promoted the development of the regional economy and the transformation and upgrade of relevant industries. Besides, Soochow University has also established strategic cooperation with 26 research institutes, including the Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, and the No. 214 Institute of China North Industries Group Corporation, which boosts the innovative competence and scientific research capacity of both the University and the institutes. In addition, Soochow University has also promoted cooperation with over 200 large and medium-sized enterprises, including Phoenix Television, Shagang Group, Suzhou Gold Mantis Construction & Decoration Group, China Telecom, COFCO Corporation, and the Bank Of Communications, which has brought about collaborative development modes featuring resource sharing, complementary advantages, deep integration and mutual benefits.

Under the strategy of promoting internationalization and cooperation with top universities in the world, Soochow University has developed partnerships with over 180 universities and research institutes in over 20 countries. In recent years, the University started all-round cooperation with the National University of Singapore and the University of Waterloo, in addition to the cooperative programs with many well-known universities in different continents, such as Monash University in Australia, the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and the University of Arizona. Meanwhile, Soochow has actively participated in activities like the "Partnership Alliance among the Universities in Jiangsu Province and Ontario", and the "Jiangsu-Macao Partnership Alliance among the Universities in Portuguese-Speaking Countries". As the university continuously develops new channels for the internationalized cultivation of students, it has been highly recognized with one program being selected into the "Exchange Scholarship Program with Foreign Countries" by the China Scholarship Council, and another one being selected as a "High-quality Model Construction Program for Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education in Jiangsu Province". Starting from 2007, the University has cooperated with Portland State University in founding the Confucius Institute at Portland State University. After being selected as a member institute in the "20+20 Cooperation Plan of Chinese and African Institutions of Higher Education" launched by the Ministry of Education, Soochow University started to support the establishment of the University of Lagos in Nigeria in 2010. Additionally, Soochow University in Laos was established in 2011, which made it the first university in China with an overseas branch. This has been acknowledged as an important stage and culture label following the strategy of "One Belt and One Road".