It will feature an LRT station within walking distance of flats and amenities such as eateries and schools - a familiar sight in HDB estates here.

Many other Singapore touches are likely as the flagship Tianjin eco-city is being modelled on some of Singapore's HDB new towns.

A bold masterplan for the eco-city is being made public on Thursday by the National Development Ministry.

China news reports say investments of at least 30 billion yuan (S$5.8 billion) will be pumped into the project.

It is the most significant cooperative project between the two nations in about 15 years. And leaders in both Singapore and China believe it could serve as an important blue-print for similar future eco-friendly projects.

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the eco-city will have a 'clear Singapore imprint' and will reflect 'a lot of the experience that we have gathered for many years'.

It would also pave the way for the further adoption of green features and technologies here, he added. It will also provide a platform for government leaders and businessmen from both nations 'to interact... broaden and deepen the engagement and relationship', he said.

The eco-city, 40-km from the port city of Tianjin, and 150-km south-east of Beijing, will tackle the growing problems of pollution by providing a 'green lung' and eco-corridors with extensive greenery for about 110,000 energy-efficient homes, partly fuelled by renewable energy.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.