If 2007 was a year of exploration to find a feasible sustainable mode of development, 2008 will mark the start of practicing that considerable promise.
In less than two months, construction will begin on the 30 sq km Sino-Singaporean Tianjin Eco-city demonstration project, a joint effort between the two countries' governments.
Forty km from Tianjin city and 150 km from Beijing, the eco-city will be located along the Jiyun River in Hangu District of Tianjin Municipality, the largest northern port city of China. When finished in 10 to 15 years, it will include residences, commercial space and factories meeting high international standards for energy use and environmental protection.
"The Jiyun River was a golden waterway in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). More than 40 kinds of fish lived in the river at that time," said Cui Guangzhi, vice director of the Sino-Singaporean Eco-city Administrative Committee.
"But hundreds of years later the environment in the region has been destroyed," he said.
The eco-city will cover 10 sq km of salt pan, 10 sq km of desert and 10 sq km of land with water - but of poor quality.
High standards, a long perspective on sustainable growth, more efficient energy use and environmental protection will all provide a city of wealth in the future, said Premier Wen Jiabao.
Improving the environment, both its water and land, is the core work for local officials.
Cui said that in the next five years, technicians will focus on improving water quality. "You will see no dirty river water or overgrowth of grass. You will see clear water and a growing population of fish," he said. "Beside the water, heavily polluted land is a core challenge in the first phase of the project," Cui said.
The eco-city will also be developed on three natural swamps where thousands of birds migrate every spring. "We will protect the three areas and they will become shining points when the project is completed," Cui said.
In addition to aiding the environment, renewable energy is also crucial to the eco-city, the director said.
Developers say the Tianjin eco-city will save 70 percent of energy used in buildings. With more advanced technologies employed through the partnership between China and Singapore, the eco-city will also be an excellent example of saving water.
Rainwater collection solutions are wholly based on longer experience and technologies from Singapore.
When completed, the eco-city will become a national center for environmental technology research and development, Cui said.
Questions:
1. When will the 30 sq km Sino-Singaporean Tianjin Eco-city demonstration project commence construction?
2. When is the eco city expected to be complete?
3. Which once vibrant though now ailing river is the eco city to be built along?
Answers:
1. In less than two months.
2. 10 to 15 years.
3. The Jiyun River.
（英語點津 Helen 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op’Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily’s Website opinion section.
He received his B.A. and Post Grad Dip from Curtin University in 1997 and his Masters in Community Development and Management from Charles Darwin University in 2003. He has taught in Japan, England, Australia and most recently China. His articles have featured in the Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, The Asia News Network and in-flight magazines.
