Forum outlines bold low-carbon roadmap with new alliances, projects, and GDP growth momentum.

Singapore and China have reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable urban growth, unveiling a long-term roadmap for the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City that extends through 2035.

A Milestone in Green City Cooperation

Over 300 delegates from government, business, academia, and industry associations gathered at the China-Singapore Green Development Forum, hosted in the Tianjin Eco-City. Themed “China and Singapore build the cornerstone of green development, deepen cooperation on the construction of new cities,” the event signalled a deeper push for bilateral cooperation in sustainable city-building.

Long-Term Roadmap Through 2035

Following the State Council’s approval in August 2024 of a national long-term green development plan, the Tianjin Eco-City has been positioned as a national benchmark for low-carbon urbanisation. The plan charts a clear path to 2035, with Singapore and China pledging stronger collaboration to integrate economic growth with sustainability.

Six Pillars and Five Dimensions

Wang Guoliang, director of the Eco-City’s administrative committee, highlighted six key pillars: green industrial development, energy transition, low-carbon living, ecological protection, innovation-driven intelligence, and openness to global cooperation. These are paired with 247 targeted measures to advance five “core dimensions”: industry, ecology, intelligence, openness, and vitality.

Green Growth With Economic Strength

The Eco-City’s transition is already showing results. In the first half of this year, it posted an impressive 11.2 per cent GDP growth, underscoring how sustainability policies are fueling—not slowing—economic expansion. This performance strengthens its case as a model for other green cities in China and beyond.

Concrete Outcomes From the Forum

Several landmark initiatives were formalised during the forum. These include the inauguration of the Singapore-based International Demonstration Centre for Green and Low-Carbon Building, and the launch of two key alliances:

• The International Alliance for Green and Low-Carbon Building Technology Cooperation
• The China-Singapore Alliance for Culture, Tourism, and Education Cooperation

Implications for Southeast Asia

For Singapore, the forum deepens its role as a regional leader in sustainable innovation, with the Tianjin Eco-City serving as a live testbed for green technologies and policies. For China, the partnership bolsters its national carbon reduction goals while reinforcing economic resilience. Together, the initiatives have implications not only for bilateral ties but also for Southeast Asia’s pursuit of green growth.

The Tianjin forum highlighted how sustainability can drive both environmental and economic transformation. As Singapore and China expand their cooperation through 2035, their joint projects could shape the future of green cities across Asia, providing scalable models for Indonesia, Singapore, and the wider region.

Sources: Malay Mail (2025) , New Straits Times (2025)

Keywords: Singapore, China, Tianjin Eco City, Green Development, Low Carbon Urbanisation, Sustainable Cooperation