A joint project being undertaken by a Temasek Holdings unit and a Chinese entity is about to get its third chief executive in less than five years.

The development involves building a business park for knowledge- based industries in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province.

The Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City, as the project is called, is being developed by Temasek unit Singbridge and the Guangzhou Development District Administrative Committee.

The new boss will be Singbridge executive vice-president Ng Kok Siong, who replaces Mr Chin Phei Chen on Oct 15.

Mr Chin, who has helmed the project for 21/2 years, will return to a senior leadership role within the Temasek group of companies.

The first CEO, Mr Tay Hun Kiat, left after just a little more than one year at the job.

Under Mr Chin's leadership, the Knowledge City has made significant progress, and proceeded according to schedule, said the Ascendas-Singbridge Group, which was formed after business park developer Ascendas and urban investment and development company Singbridge merged in June.

It noted that the basic infrastructure has been completed and is largely ready to host further industrial, commercial and residential development.

The incoming Mr Ng has more than 20 years of experience in property investment, development, asset management and consultancy in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China, the Ascendas-Singbridge Group said in a statement yesterday.

It will be his second stint on the project, having completed a two-year posting in 2012.

The Knowledge City, which broke ground in July 2010, is the first of its kind to be driven by the private sector and supported by governments in both countries.

Mr Ng said in a statement yesterday: "Guangzhou Knowledge City has huge potential, and promises to propel the city to the international stage as a model for vibrant and sustainable economic growth.

"I look forward to my return to a management role, and to steering the next stages of development and growth."

Chong Koh Ping