China and Singapore on Wednesday pledged a joint effort to build an eco-city into an environmentally-friendly model of sustainable development.

The two countries agreed to develop an economy based on the sustainable use of resources, according to the first meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Steering Committee for the Tianjin Eco-city.

Tianjin is an industrial city in northern China.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng co-chaired the meeting.

On the basis of a consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, Wang and Wong agreed to enhance cooperation to advance the construction of the eco-city.

The construction of the eco-city, the second joint project by the two governments following the China-Suzhou Industrial Park in east China's Jiangsu Province, began in July and is to be completed in 10 to 15 years.

The development, 40 km from downtown Tianjin and 150 km from Beijing, will be guided by Singapore's use of solar and wind power, and experience in rainwater recycling, as well as wastewater treatment and desalination of sea water.

At Wang's invitation, Wong is paying an official visit to China from September 2 to 6.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2008)