The construction of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city has gotten off to a good start because of strong efforts from both sides, visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan said in the second meeting of China-Singapore Joint Steering Committee for Tianjin Eco-city on Monday.

The Eco-City will be a new, environmentally friendly city jointly constructed by China and Singapore in Binhai New Area, in Tianjin.

The meeting was co-chaired by Wang and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng.

The construction of the eco-city, the first project of its kind in the world to be developed jointly by two governments, began in July, 2008. The goal is to complete it in 10 to 15 years.

The 30 square kilometers Tianjin Eco-City is envisioned to create a harmonious and sustainable community that meets the needs of an urbanizing China and will be a modern township where 350,000 residents can live, work and play, according to the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Company, which was set up by the two governments to manage the city’s development.

The project will showcase China’s comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development strategy, and it is an important contribution to the fight against climate change, and to efforts to find new, more sustainable ways to urbanize, Wang said.

"Balancing economic development and environmental protection is a global problem. The Tianjin Eco-city built in an environmentally fragile area is designed to tackle the challenge and explore a scientific, balanced and sustainable development path,” he said.

His Singaporean counterpart, Wong, said Singapore is willing to cooperate with China to build a prosperous, harmonious and resource efficient eco-city.

Wang is currently paying a four-day official visit to Singapore at Wong’s invitation.

By Guo Changdong