DPM Wong hopes policies to foster social harmony could arise from joint Tianjin project
Tracy Quek, Straits Times 4 Sep 08;
TIANJIN: Aside from showing the way forward in balancing rapid economic growth with environmental protection, the flagship Singapore-China joint eco-city project in Tianjin could also pioneer new policies to foster social harmony.
When it comes to designing policies for the eco-city, such as on public housing, education, training, an environmentally-friendly lifestyle and attracting investments, 'the best of Singapore's and China's experiences will be taken into account', Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan said yesterday.
'We will not just follow what each of us has done, but will see what else we can do, what else is new, even to the extent of breaking new ground,' he said, adding that a committee or an office could be set up to look into this aspect.
He told reporters that with the physical planning work for the 50 billion yuan (S$10.4 billion) venture largely done and construction on the first 4 sq km plot scheduled to start soon, the focus is now on the formulation of concepts and policies that will ensure the eco-city lives up to its vision and more.
Fostering a harmonious society - on top of developing environmentally friendly infrastructure and achieving resource savings - is what will allow the Tianjin eco-city to stand out from other similar projects in China and around the world, he said.
He was speaking soon after attending the inaugural Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council meeting as a member of a high-level Singapore delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng.
Mr Wong co-chaired the meeting with Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan, who headed a team of senior Tianjin and Chinese central government officials.
Both sides met to take stock of the progress made on the flagship project since Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao formally signed off on agreements for the eco-city last November, and discussed key areas of work ahead, said a statement issued by the Ministry of National Development last night.
At the meeting, Mr Wong and Vice-Premier Wang 'expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project so far, and also in our exchange of ideas there was a meeting of minds on what needs to be done next', said Mr Mah.
Giving his own take on the progress, Mr Mah said the work done in preparing the eco-city site for the construction of the first start-up area demonstrated the 'tremendous speed that has been made in terms of infrastructure building'.
The site was mainly marshland and salt flats a year ago when he first saw it, but 'I barely recognise the place now. Now, we've got roads, greenery, buildings coming up', he said.
Built from scratch, the start-up area will be ready in under five years, house up to 85,000 people, and include facilities such as schools and a hospital.
Eventually, over the next 15 years, the eco-city will expand to 30 sq km and be home to some 350,000 residents.
Mr Mah said that to meet the tight time-frame, both the Singapore and Chinese sides 'are in a mad rush'.
'We are both committed to the project, both sides understand the enormous challenges ahead and are working very hard.'
Earlier yesterday, during separate meetings with Chinese officials, DPM Wong called the Singapore-China eco-city 'a great symbol of the strong relationship between the two countries' and identified it as the second iconic bilateral project after the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), which marks its 15th year next year.
The SIP, he said, must continue successfully for many more years.
And regarding the new eco-city venture, he was clear: 'We must make it work, it cannot be allowed to fail.'
Singapore, China map out key priorities of eco-city project
Wong Yee Fong, Channel NewsAsia 3 Sep 08;
TIANJIN: Singapore and Chinese leaders said the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City project is a symbol of strong and warm bilateral ties.
This came during a meeting between Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan in Tianjin on Wednesday.
The first official meeting between the two leaders was friendly and casual, but no less significant as both men chaired the Singapore-Sino Eco-City Joint Steering Committee meeting to map out the key priorities of the project.
Mr Wong will also be discussing the progress of the 14-year-old Suzhou Industrial Park during his five-day visit to Tianjin and Beijing.
Hundreds of business proposals have poured in to offer green solutions to the Tianjin eco-city. But unlike the Suzhou Industrial Park, these proposals will have to move beyond catering to industries, and focus on what matters to the residents in the eco-city.
Goh Chye Boon, who heads the Singapore-China joint venture company that is spearheading the eco-city project, said: "We are focusing on how to build a city where you not only work and live comfortably, but also in a very sustainable way."
He said there would be a stringent process to sift out the best ideas.
"Cost is definitely an issue. There's a lot of misconception that links eco ideas to higher costs. We believe that if we put the solution and technology in the right way, we will reap savings," Mr Goh added.
The first plot of land for development will cover 4 square kilometres, out of a total of 30 square kilometres. Mr Goh said the next three to five years will be crucial as the city will have to show that it is liveable and sustainable.- CNA/so
