CRI听力:Eco City in Tianjin Binhai

A leading administrator of a joint eco-city project in the Tianjin areas, initiated by the Chinese and Singaporean governments some 7-years ago, is suggesting the project is making huge strides.

CRI's Shen Ting has more.

The eco city project was agreed upon by governments from both sides in 2007 and the construction began one year later.

Zhang Suqiu works at the eco city's administrative committee. She says their goal is to achieve an eco system, in which people could enjoy comfortable living, the economy could have green growth and the environment could be well protected.

"We expect to build the eco city into a place where people, business and nature could live and coexist in harmony. We also hope our experience could be practical and useful to other places."

In the eco city, we can see clean roads, beautiful residential communities and green planting. It is hard to imagine what the area was like before all these were built. Zhang Suqiu recalls.

"In the past, the environment in this area was very bad. We had deserted salt pans, non-arable land with only saline-alkaline, as well as polluted water. The area was short of arable lands and clean water supply."

It is fair to say that the eco city was built with very limited conditions. But people in Binhai did it. They also made the world's first framework of eco city KPI, or Key Performance Indicators, to access local development.

For example, all the buildings must meet the standards of green buildings. To achieve this, the eco city applies construction technology that could cut emission.

Zhang Suqiu elaborates what they want to realize in energy use and transport.

"By 2020, the use of renewable energy is expected to reach 20 percent in total energy use, giving priority to wind and solar power. Also by then, green transport is expected to reach 90 percent in the entire transport system. We will build rail transit and clean energy-fueled public transport network."

Regarding industrial planning, the eco city insists on low-carbon and green economy. The pillar industries are Research and Development, creative and cultural economy and services.

"We have National Animation Industry Park and 3D movie and TV Park. There are also companies doing IT business and research in new energy and new material. These are all clean industries."

In addition to economic development, comfortable and green living is emphasized in the eco city as well. So far, ten thousand residents have settled there and more are expected to come.

The eco city project reflects the strong determination of China and Singapore in combating climate change and saving energy consumption.

It aims to be a platform in ecological and environmental protection, a livable city which is resource-conserving, and a participant in global campaign of ecological and environmental development. Its experience is believed to be useful in other parts of China, a country in economic transition towards a clean and green direction.