The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city Joint Working Committee approved Tuesday the draft master plan submitted by the combined team from both countries.

The committee, co-chaired by Singapore's National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan and China's Vice Minister for Housing and Rural-Urban Construction Qiu Baoxing, gave the go-ahead to the proposal.

And the proposal will be released by the Tianjin government for public consultation in mid-April.

The plan incorporates natural existing conditions of the site, such as wetlands and rivers. It will also include a mix of commercial, residential and business park developments.

The proposed city will also have a comprehensive public transport network that features an LRT line, buses and extensive cycling and foot paths.

Buildings will be erected using environmentally-safe standards and the use of renewable energy will also be promoted.

The eco-city is another cooperation project announced by both countries' leaders last November when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Singapore, following the construction of the Suzhou Industrial Park in eastern Jiangsu Province.

The eco-city will serve as a model for sustainable development for other Chinese cities. It can attract about 1.5 million people to work and live in.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2008)