Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City breaks ground for Rail Line

Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development, co-chaired the 7th Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city Joint Working Committee Meeting with his counterpart, Minister Chen Zhenggao of the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) in the Tianjin Eco-city today.

Both leaders reaffirmed the Eco-city’s achievements and noted that it had developed very much in line with the urban development guidelines issued by the Chinese State Council in February this year. The Tianjin Eco-city was on track to realise its goal as the role model for sustainable development for other Chinese cities and beyond. Singapore and China reiterated their commitment to ensure the Eco-city’s continued development and success, especially as it approached the 10-year milestone in 2018.

The meeting also discussed the development plans leading up to this milestone, which include plans for the Central District where the Sino-Singapore Friendship Garden and the Sino-Singapore Friendship Library would be located. Urban planners from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) were working with the Eco-city Administrative Committee (ECAC) on incorporating design ideas with Singapore and Chinese characteristics into the Central District.

After the Joint Working Committee Meeting, Minister Wong and Minister Chen witnessed the signing of several agreements including:-

i. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Parks Board (NParks) and the ECAC on developing the Sino-Singapore Friendship Garden; and

ii. MOU between the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the ECAC on promoting the Eco-city’s green building standards.

While in the Eco-city, Minister Wong also participated in the ground-breaking ceremony for the Z4 rail line that will run through the Eco-city. The Z4 rail line, which will connect to the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway Extension, will link the Eco-city to Beijing, Tianjin City and the rest of the Tianjin Binhai New Area.

In addition, Minister Wong opened the Tasty Singapore Food Product Centre, which will serve as the product showcase and distribution centre for Singapore food manufacturing companies in North China.

Minister Wong said, “I am very excited to see the transformation of Tianjin Eco-city from a barren wasteland to what it is today. Today’s ground-breaking for the Z4 rail line is a much-awaited development. The improved rail connectivity will provide a further boost to the Eco-city’s growth. This will allow the Eco-city to become a model satellite city, serving the surrounding regions with its efficient administration, business-friendly policies and conducive living environment. It will also bring the Eco-city closer to realising its vision of being the model of sustainable development for other Chinese cities.”

Annexes