Singapore: Singapore and China have agreed to jointly build an eco-city near China's northern port city of Tianjin as a model of sustainable development, The Strait Times reported Thursday.

The model city will have an economy based on the sustainable use of resources the two countries agreed in Beijing during the first meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Steering Committee for the Tianjin Eco-city on Wednesday.

The eco-city will be 40 km from Tianjin, an industrial city 150 km north of Beijing. It is the first joint venture between China and Singapore to address growing concerns about pollution and serve as a model for other projects.

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng and Chinese vice premier Wang Qishan co-chair the committee.

Plans for the eco-city will rely on Singapore's expertise of solar and wind power, and experience in rainwater recycling, as well as wastewater treatment and desalination of sea water.

Construction began in July and is to be home for 350,000 residents once completed in 10 to 15 years.

Wong is on an official visit to China till Sep 6 at Wang's invitation.