Tianjin hopes for 'green' tie-up with Singapore

Peh Shing Huei, Straits Times 15 Jun 08;

Tianjin mayor Huang Xingguo said yesterday that he hoped the Eco-City project in the northern Chinese port city would pave the way for greater 'green' cooperation with Singapore.

The tie-ups do not have to be just on the government level, as he encouraged any enterprises - big or small, private or public - to invest in Tianjin's Binhai New Area.

The only criteria is that the projects must be green, and not 'highly polluted, with high emissions and energy consumption', he told Singapore reporters.

The Tianjin Eco-City is the biggest collaboration between Singapore and China since the Suzhou Industrial Park project, which was launched in 1994.

The 30 sq km Eco-City site is in Tianjin's Binhai district and aims to promote green living.

It could eventually accommodate 350,000 people when it is completed in 10 to 15 years' time.

Mr Huang, who is here on a three-day visit to learn more about Singapore's city management, sustainable development and public transportation policies, is a key player in the project.

He met Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on Friday.

Mr Goh first mooted the idea of an eco-city during a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing in April last year.

Mr Huang said he briefed Mr Goh on the development of the Eco-City, including the completion of the management building and service centre by the end of next month.

He added that Mr Goh proposed using the Slim City Initiative of this year's World Economic Forum to share the concept and experience of the Eco-City with mayors around the world.

The initiative is an exchange programme between cities and the private sector to support action on resource efficiency.