[photopress:zone_Huang_Xingguo.jpg,full,alignright]The Mayor of Tianjin, Huang Xingguo, addressed the first panel discussion at 18th Asian Corporate Conference and put across the message that Tianjin and its Binhai New Area carry high expectations not only as the next growth engine for China, but also as a model of sustainable development.
He said, ‘Right after Shenzhen and Shanghai’s Pudong, Tianjin is earmarked as the future portal city of China, a high-profile modern manufacturing and research and development hub, north China’s international shipping and logistics center and last but not least, a green city suitable for human habitation.’
In line with the national strategy for the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10), Tianjin has set a bold target to trim per unit GDP energy consumption by more than 20% by 2010.
Taking progress so far as a guide that is possible. Last year the city succeeded in meeting its energy efficiency and pollution reduction targets, with per unit GDP energy consumption dropping by 4.4%.
Tianjin is now working with Singaporean counterparts to build a demonstration eco-city project in its Binhai New Area rising from saline land in an area that desperately lacks water.
Huang Xingguo said, ‘We will try to be bold and innovative enough to turn the eco-city into a sustainable model project.’
Tianjin has the lowest water consumption and electricity use per unit of GDP in the nation, as well as the highest rate of water recycling.
Water is so scare in Tianjin that its per capita water availability is only one-fifteenth the national average.
Huang Xingguo said, ‘We give top priority to water conservation. A city water usage plan has been worked out with regulating indices for the city and its industries in water consumption.’
Source: China Daily
