They are located in the northern part of China, where water is scarce, so as to tap Singapore's expertise in water technology, Vice-Construction Minister Qiu Baoxing said yesterday. He is the first senior Chinese official to give an idea of what to expect.
The eco-city will not be built on farmland, he added, in an apparent assurance as rapid economic expansion has led to agricultural land being taken over by deve- lopers for lucrative projects such as factories and industrial parks.
First mooted by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong during his visit to Beijing in April, the project will use Singapore's expertise in urban planning to build an environmentally-friendly city in China.
Speaking to the media after a meeting with Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu at Toa Payoh HDB Hub, Mr Qiu said in Mandarin: 'The eco-city will showcase Singapore's many years of successful experiences.
'It will also show the world that it is forward-looking and able to deal with global climate changes.'
Mr Qiu added that a joint committee comprising experts and urban planners from both countries will work together to develop the city.
SARAH NG