# The 14th Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council (JSC) meeting on 1 Nov - **Source:** Ministry of National Development - **Published:** 2022-11-01T02:00:00.000Z - **Author:** Ministry of National Development - **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/the-14th-sino-singapore-tianjin-eco-city-joint-steering-council-(jsc)-meeting-on-1-nov - **Topics:** Sustainability & PropTech, Regional Markets ## Featured rationale Rapid population and business growth, alongside new low-carbon partnerships, could support demand for homes and commercial space while encouraging larger-scale sustainable development. ## AI summary The 30 km2 Tianjin Eco-City had grown from 20,000 people in 2014 to over 130,000, with more than 23,000 registered companies by 2022. ## Original article NEW PARTNERSHIPS TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEIZE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City has catalysed partnerships to address climate change and unlock opportunities in low-carbon development, and continues to be an important bilateral cooperation platform on sustainability. At the 14th Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council (JSC) Meeting held on 1 November 2022, the Civil Service College (CSC) Singapore and Tianjin Eco-City Administrative Committee (ECAC) of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Training and Collaborations in Developing a Resilient and Safe City. Under the MOU, both sides will organise regular exchanges for officials on topics such as emergency and disaster management, through seminars, forums or study visits. Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee said: “Fourteen years ago, Singapore and China set out to transform a barren wasteland into a liveable city. Today, the Tianjin Eco-City is a frontrunner and model for sustainable urban development. The experience that we have mutually gained from working on this project is ever more salient today, as we grapple with the global challenge of climate change. And the MOU that the CSC and ECAC have just signed is an example of how we continue to enhance our bilateral cooperation on the Eco-City project through knowledge sharing and exchanges, which can help to strengthen our resilience against climate change.” The Eco-City project has also brought Singapore and Chinese companies together to seize new economic opportunities from low-carbon development. The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co., Ltd. (SSTEC), as the master developer for the Eco-City, has kicked off a new series of Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Economic Forums and Business Seminars to foster partnerships between Singapore and Chinese companies, and to encourage them to capitalise on new growth opportunities in the Eco-City. The inaugural Economic Forum held on 29 June this year was well-attended by about 500 participants from both countries. Looking ahead, the Eco-City will continue to be a thriving ‘living lab’ that attracts companies and talent from both countries and beyond to create and pilot innovative low-carbon solutions. The development of the Eco-City’s future city centre, as well as Keppel Land’s upcoming development of a carbon-neutral smart precinct in the Eco-City’s Northern District, offer the potential for smart and sustainable solutions to be deployed on a larger scale. An MOU on Strategic Cooperation with Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) in the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City signed by ECAC, SSETC and SUTD will also open up new opportunities for the joint development of such sustainable solutions. The Eco-City continues to serve as a useful springboard for Singapore companies to deploy their sustainable living solutions overseas, in support of both countries’ shared vision of low-carbon living. At the JSC Meeting, Minister Desmond Lee shared that Seasons City, a smart and low-carbon mall which Keppel Land opened in the Eco-City last year, had been awarded the Tianjin Climate Exchange Carbon Neutrality certification in May this year. This recognises the mall’s achievement of ultra-low energy consumption through the use of renewable energy, energy-efficient lighting designs, chillers and ventilation systems, as well as an advanced smart energy management and control platform. Minister Desmond Lee added: “With both China and Singapore committed to ambitious carbon goals, there is a lot of scope for us to work together on this front. As we mark the Eco-City’s 15th anniversary next year, I look forward to strengthening our bilateral cooperation on the Eco-City project so that we can unlock more benefits that low-carbon development can bring to our people.” More information on the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City project and the two MOUs can be found in Annex A, B and C respectively. Annex A Background information on the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City is a bilateral collaboration project between Singapore and China to develop an economically vibrant, socially harmonious, environmentally-friendly and resource-efficient city in Tianjin. It provides a platform for both countries to explore new collaborations, pilot new ideas and share best practices in sustainable development. The Eco-City aims to be a model for sustainable development for other cities in China and the rest of the world. As the second flagship project between Singapore and China, the Eco-City helps to further broaden and deepen the bilateral partnership, and provides a new platform for engagement between the leaders, officials and businesses of both countries. The Eco-City project spans 30 km2. When the project broke ground in 2008, it was a site comprising mainly saltpans, barren land and polluted waterbodies. Through the joint efforts of Singaporean and Chinese stakeholders, the Eco-City has made significant progress in the areas of environmental rehabilitation, green buildings, renewable energy, water management, and environmental protection. These include rehabilitating its 2.6 km2 wastewater pond, conducting research in green development, developing green building standards and constructing green buildings, tapping renewable energy sources (wind, solar and geothermal energies), encouraging residents to lead environmentally-friendly lifestyles, and promoting green transport. Development status of the Tianjin Eco-City The number of people living or working in the Eco-City has grown from 20,000 in 2014 to over 130,000 today, and there are currently more than 23,000 registered companies in the Eco-City. A range of residential developments, community and recreational spaces, schools as well as workplaces have been completed to make the Eco-City an attractive and liveable home. Residents can easily meet their daily needs at amenities like community centres1, schools and commercial developments. Public parks and leisure areas, like the National Maritime Museum of China and the Fantawild Adventure Theme Park, offer ample space for recreation and community bonding. Business spaces and industry parks2 in the Eco-City also provide a variety of job opportunities. The Eco-City’s development commenced with the 8 km2 start-up area located in the south of the Eco-City. The development of the Eco-City has progressed to the central district. A vibrant city centre of around 1 km2 will be the focus of the central district. When completed, the city centre will be the heart of commercial, leisure and recreational activities and support the future growth of the Eco-City. 1 The Community Centre is a commercial-cum-community centre that provides a comprehensive range of social services and amenities. For example, the No. 3 Community Centre includes a polyclinic, a wet market and facilities for community activities. It has adapted elements of Singapore’s Community Clubs. 2 The four industrial parks in the Eco-City are National Animation Industry Park, Eco-Business Park, Eco-Industrial Park, and Eco-Information Park. Pushing boundaries of sustainable solutions Over the years, Singapore and China have pushed the boundaries of sustainable solutions through the Eco-City project. In the early days of the project, when there had been no precedents or established standards for the management of polluted water bodies in China, a former wastewater pond in the Eco-City was rehabilitated. Since then, “blue-green” networks of inter-connected water and greenery systems have taken shape in the Eco-City. To bring nature even closer to the Eco-City’s residents and visitors, the National Parks Board (NParks) of Singapore and the Tianjin Eco-City Administrative Committee (ECAC) of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2021 on a collaboration to enhance the Eco-City into a “Garden City”. Under the MOU, both sides jointly plan, design and develop features such as a Green Belt, a park connector network connecting the city’s green spaces, and pocket parks at street corners in the central area of the Eco-City. The Eco-City has strengthened efforts to be a smart city. Besides having a Smart City Operations Centre (SCOC)3, the Eco-City has been piloting smart solutions, such as autonomous public buses and smart carparks. In May 2021, the Seasons Smart Vibrant Precinct was launched, comprising four residential developments (Seasons Heights, Seasons Garden, Seasons Park and Seasons Residences) and a commercial development (Seasons City). The Precinct leverages technologies such as 5G, Artificial Internet of Things, big data and Augmented Reality, to enhance public amenities and urban living experience. Notably, Seasons City is one of the latest highlights in the Eco-City which demonstrates how a sustainable city can be highly liveable too. Opened on 30 September 2021, Seasons City comprises a five-storey retail mall and three office towers. The retail mall is a well-curated lifestyle haven that is home to gourmet dining establishments, high fashion brands, total wellness and experiential entertainment catering to all ages. In 2022, Seasons City’s retail mall received the Tianjin Climate Exchange Carbon Neutrality certification in recognition of the mall’s ultra-low energy consumption. As the first Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore Green Mark Platinum (provisional) mixed development in China, Seasons City adopts energy-efficient lighting designs, chillers and ventilation systems. It also taps on non-potable water for landscape irrigation and other uses, and is installed with photovoltaics and a solar hot water system. The total cost saving that can be achieved from the water and energy saving features at Seasons City (Phase 1), comprising the retail mall and a 10-storey office tower, is estimated to be over RMB 9 million (approximately S$1.8 million) a year. In addition, Seasons City has achieved the WELL Health-Safety Rating by the International WELL Building Institute for its robust health and safety management. Seasons City also features a range of smart applications, such as smart parking system and a cloud-based service platform which offers personalised and convenient shopping experiences. The mall also boasts an iconic 26m tall artificial tree strategically located in the central atrium, part of an interactive and immersive multimedia experience that promotes eco-living. 3 Constructed in 2018, the Smart City Operations Centre (SCOC) is the flagship smart city project in the Eco-City. The SCOC aims to serve as a one-stop location to centrally monitor all public utilities infrastructure, and to be a one-stop command centre for all municipal services and emergency management. Contributing to international cooperation on sustainable development In line with its vision to be a model for sustainable cities, the Eco-City has contributed to international cooperation on sustainable development by sharing the Eco-City’s development experience worldwide. The Eco-City’s experience in water rehabilitation has been replicated in Xiong’An New Area’s Baiyangdian Lake Basin; Hunan Province Zhuzhou City’s Qingshuitang; and Zhejiang Province’s Yuhuan City. In 2017, the Eco-City became a pilot programme for the International Standards Organisation (ISO) standards for the management and implementation of sustainable cities and communities. In 2021, the Eco-City’s experience was shared with international audience at the Roundtable on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Green Development and the BRI International Green Development Coalition Policy Studies Release 2021, World Cities Summit, and the 5th World Intelligence Congress in Tianjin. Annex B Memorandum of Understanding on Training and Collaborations in Developing a Resilient and Safe City The Tianjin Eco-City Administrative Committee (ECAC) of the People’s Republic of China and Civil Service College (CSC) Singapore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Training and Collaborations in Developing a Resilient and Safe City. Under this MOU, both sides will commit to holding regular exchanges and discussions for officials on topics such as ‘Developing a Resilient and Safe City’ and ‘Emergency and Disaster Management’ through seminars, forums, or study visits. Participants will also be able to apply their learnings through the implementation of action plan and standards for Developing a Resilient and Safe City. The signing of the MOU reaffirms the close working relationship between ECAC and CSC and demonstrates the strong commitment to strengthening our people-to-people exchange and capability-building in developing a resilient and safe city. Annex C Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation with SUTD in the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strategic Cooperation with SUTD in the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City was signed between the Tianjin Eco-City Administrative Committee (ECAC) of the People’s Republic of China, Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co., Ltd. (SSTEC) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) on 29 June 2022. The signatories are ECAC Vice Chairman Mu Xihua, SSTEC CEO Teo Eng Cheong, and SUTD President Prof Chong Tow Chong. Under this MOU, ECAC, SSTEC and SUTD will undertake strategic cooperation to develop and apply smart technologies and solutions for sustainability, to support the Eco-City’s growth into a smart and low-carbon city; nurture education, research and entrepreneurial talents; and promote people-to-people exchanges between Singapore and Tianjin. The MOU is a testament to the close partnerships which the Eco-City project fosters amongst officials, businesses and Institutes of Higher Learning from Singapore and Tianjin in co-creating innovative solutions to support sustainable development. ## Chinese translation > Translation model: grok_cli ### 11月1日举行第14次中新天津生态城联合协调理事会（JSC）会议 建立新伙伴关系以应对气候变化并把握增长机遇 中新天津生态城催生了应对气候变化、释放低碳发展机遇的合作伙伴关系，并继续作为重要的双边可持续发展合作平台。 在2022年11月1日举行的第14次中新天津生态城联合协调理事会（JSC）会议上，新加坡公共服务学院（CSC）与中国天津生态城管理委员会（ECAC）签署了关于建设韧性安全城市培训与合作的谅解备忘录（MOU）。根据该备忘录，双方将通过研讨会、论坛或考察访问等形式，就应急与灾害管理等议题定期组织官员交流。 国家发展部部长兼社会服务统筹部长李智陞表示：“十四年前，新加坡与中国着手将一片荒芜之地改造成宜居城市。今天，天津生态城已成为可持续城市发展的先驱与典范。我们在这一项目中共同积累的经验，在今天应对气候变化这一全球挑战时更显重要。公共服务学院与生态城管委会刚刚签署的谅解备忘录，正是我们通过知识共享与交流，持续深化生态城项目双边合作、增强气候韧性的一个例证。” 生态城项目也促成新中企业携手把握低碳发展带来的新经济机遇。作为生态城主开发商的中新天津生态城投资开发有限公司（SSTEC）已启动新一轮中新天津生态城经济论坛与商业研讨会系列，以促进新中企业合作，并鼓励它们把握生态城内的新增长机遇。今年6月29日举行的首届经济论坛吸引了来自两国约500名与会者，反响热烈。 展望未来，生态城将继续成为充满活力的“活实验室”，吸引两国乃至更广泛地区的企业与人才，创造并试点创新的低碳解决方案。生态城未来城市中心的开发，以及吉宝置业即将在生态城北部片区开发的碳中和智慧园区，都为在更大尺度上部署智慧与可持续解决方案提供了可能。生态城管委会、SSTEC与新加坡科技设计大学（SUTD）签署的中新天津生态城战略合作谅解备忘录，也将为共同开发此类可持续解决方案开辟新机遇。 生态城继续作为新加坡企业向海外部署可持续生活解决方案的有益跳板，以支持两国共同的低碳生活愿景。在联合协调理事会会议上，李智陞部长分享称，吉宝置业去年在生态城开业的智慧低碳商场Seasons City（四季城）已于今年5月获得天津排放权交易所碳中和认证。这肯定了该商场通过使用可再生能源、节能照明设计、冷水机组与通风系统，以及先进的智慧能源管理与控制平台，实现超低能耗的成绩。 李智陞部长补充道：“中新两国都致力于实现雄心勃勃的碳目标，双方在这一领域有广阔合作空间。明年我们将迎来生态城15周年，我期待进一步加强双方在生态城项目上的双边合作，从而释放低碳发展能为两国人民带来的更多惠益。” 有关中新天津生态城项目及两份谅解备忘录的更多信息，分别载于附件A、B和C。 附件A 中新天津生态城背景资料 中新天津生态城是新加坡与中国的双边合作项目，旨在天津建设一座经济蓬勃、社会和谐、环境友好、资源节约的城市。它为两国探索新合作、试点新理念、分享可持续发展最佳实践提供了平台。生态城旨在成为中国及其他地区城市可持续发展的典范。 作为新中两国第二个旗舰项目，生态城有助于进一步拓宽和深化双边伙伴关系，并为两国领导人、官员与商界提供新的交往平台。 生态城项目占地30平方公里。2008年破土动工时，该地主要是盐田、荒地和受污染水体。在新中各方共同努力下，生态城在环境修复、绿色建筑、可再生能源、水资源管理及环境保护等领域取得显著进展。这些工作包括修复2.6平方公里的污水塘、开展绿色发展研究、制定绿色建筑标准并建设绿色建筑、利用可再生能源（风能、太阳能和地热能）、鼓励居民践行环保生活方式，以及推广绿色交通。 天津生态城发展现状 在生态城居住或工作的人口已从2014年的2万人增至目前逾13万人，目前生态城内注册企业超过2.3万家。一系列住宅项目、社区与休闲空间、学校及工作场所已落成，使生态城成为具吸引力的宜居家园。居民可在社区中心1、学校和商业设施等场所便捷满足日常需求。国家海洋博物馆、方特欢乐世界等公共公园与休闲区域，为休闲娱乐和社区联结提供了充足空间。生态城内的商务空间与产业园区2也提供多样化的就业机会。 生态城开发起步于南部8平方公里的起步区。目前开发已推进至中部片区。约1平方公里的活力城市中心将是中部片区的重点。建成后，城市中心将成为商业、休闲与娱乐活动的核心，并支撑生态城的未来增长。 1 社区中心是集商业与社区功能于一体的综合设施，提供全面的社会服务与配套。例如，第三社区中心设有综合诊疗所、湿巴刹及社区活动设施，并借鉴了新加坡民众俱乐部的元素。 2 生态城内四个产业园区为国家动漫产业园、生态商务园、生态产业园和生态信息园。 拓展可持续解决方案的边界 多年来，新中双方通过生态城项目不断拓展可持续解决方案的边界。项目初期，中国在受污染水体治理方面尚无先例或既定标准时，生态城内一处原污水塘得到修复。此后，互联互通的水体与绿化“蓝绿”网络在生态城内逐步成形。为让自然更贴近生态城居民与访客，新加坡国家公园局（NParks）与中国天津生态城管理委员会（ECAC）于2021年签署谅解备忘录，合作将生态城打造为“花园城市”。根据该备忘录，双方共同规划、设计并建设绿带、连接城市绿地的公园连道网络，以及生态城中心区街角口袋公园等设施。 生态城已加强建设智慧城市的力度。除设有智慧城市运营中心（SCOC）3外，生态城还在试点自动驾驶公交车、智慧停车场等智慧解决方案。2021年5月，四季智慧活力园区正式亮相，包括四个住宅项目（Seasons Heights、Seasons Garden、Seasons Park和Seasons Residences）及一个商业项目（Seasons City）。该园区运用5G、人工智能物联网、大数据与增强现实等技术，提升公共配套与城市生活体验。 值得注意的是，Seasons City是生态城最新亮点之一，展示了可持续城市同样可以高度宜居。Seasons City于2021年9月30日开业，由一座五层零售商场和三座办公楼组成。零售商场精心打造生活方式空间，汇聚美食餐饮、高端时尚品牌、全面康养及适合各年龄层的沉浸式娱乐。 2022年，Seasons City零售商场获得天津排放权交易所碳中和认证，以表彰其超低能耗表现。作为新加坡建设局（BCA）在中国首个获得绿色建筑标志白金奖（临时）的综合发展项目，Seasons City采用节能照明设计、冷水机组与通风系统；亦利用非饮用水进行景观灌溉及其他用途，并安装了光伏系统与太阳能热水系统。Seasons City（第一期，包括零售商场与一座十层办公楼）的节水与节能措施预计每年可节约成本逾900万人民币（约合180万新元）。此外，Seasons City因其健全的健康与安全管理，获得国际WELL建筑研究院的WELL健康安全评级。Seasons City还配备智慧停车系统及云端服务平台等一系列智慧应用，提供个性化、便捷的购物体验。商场中央中庭还设有一棵高26米的标志性人工树，作为互动沉浸式多媒体体验的一部分，推广生态生活。 3 智慧城市运营中心（SCOC）于2018年建成，是生态城的旗舰智慧城市项目。该中心旨在成为集中监测所有公用事业基础设施的一站式场所，以及所有市政服务与应急管理的一站式指挥中心。 为可持续发展的国际合作作贡献 秉持成为可持续城市典范的愿景，生态城通过在全球分享发展经验，为可持续发展国际合作作出贡献。生态城在水体修复方面的经验已在雄安新区白洋淀流域、湖南省株洲市清水塘及浙江省玉环市得到复制。2017年，生态城成为国际标准化组织（ISO）可持续城市与社区管理与实施标准的试点项目。2021年，生态城经验在“一带一路”绿色发展圆桌会暨“一带一路”绿色发展国际联盟政策研究发布会2021、世界城市峰会以及在天津举行的第五届世界智能大会等场合与国际受众分享。 附件B 关于建设韧性安全城市培训与合作的谅解备忘录 中华人民共和国天津生态城管理委员会（ECAC）与新加坡公共服务学院（CSC）已签署关于建设韧性安全城市培训与合作的谅解备忘录（MOU）。 根据该备忘录，双方将承诺通过研讨会、论坛或考察访问等形式，就“建设韧性安全城市”及“应急与灾害管理”等议题定期举办官员交流与讨论。参与者亦将能够通过实施建设韧性安全城市的行动计划与标准，应用所学成果。 谅解备忘录的签署重申了生态城管委会与公共服务学院之间密切的工作关系，并体现了双方加强民间交流及建设韧性安全城市能力建设的坚定承诺。 附件C 关于在中新天津生态城与新加坡科技设计大学开展战略合作的谅解备忘录 中华人民共和国天津生态城管理委员会（ECAC）、中新天津生态城投资开发有限公司（SSTEC）与新加坡科技设计大学（SUTD）于2022年6月29日签署了关于在中新天津生态城与新加坡科技设计大学开展战略合作的谅解备忘录（MOU）。签署人为生态城管委会副主任穆希华、SSTEC首席执行官张永昌，以及新加坡科技设计大学校长张道昌教授。 根据该备忘录，生态城管委会、SSTEC与新加坡科技设计大学将开展战略合作，开发并应用面向可持续发展的智慧技术与解决方案，以支持生态城成长为智慧低碳城市；培养教育、研究与创业人才；并促进新加坡与天津之间的民间交流。 该谅解备忘录证明，生态城项目在新中官员、企业与高等院校之间培育了紧密伙伴关系，共同创造支持可持续发展的创新解决方案。