SUZHOU, CHINA: A high-tech zone which is also environmentally-friendly - this is how the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) in China is being promoted to foreign companies.

The intelligent township is a showcase of how a high-tech zone can also become a "green park" at the same time, according to the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Development Co (CSSD).

On Wednesday, Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong visited the SIP and officiated at the opening of the Suzhou Industrial Park Science Hub, which was developed by CSSD.

Built on an extra plot of 4 square kilometres in the SIP, the science hub aims to attract a lion's share of the foreign investment coming into China.

Befitting its status as a high-tech sustainable development project, the hub - which costs close to US$230 million - boasts of environmentally-friendly features.

Goh Tien Jin, deputy chairman of China-Suzhou Industrial Park Development, said: "We develop (the science hub) into a high-tech living environment, take advantage of the eco-city concept... a lot of energy-saving activities... but more importantly there's also another component and that's the residential and commercial activities... we intend to auction (the space at the hub) to the public developers."

Although the whole project is expected to be completed in three years, the science hub has already attracted six companies from the US, China and Singapore to set up shop.

Mr Goh was also given a tour of a new exhibition displaying SIP's energy-saving methods. The emitting intensity of the zone accounts for only one twentieth of the average national level.

Speaking at the visit, Suzhou's deputy party secretary, Wang Jinhua, also announced that the CSSD has posted profits of US$28 million this year. This is expected to give a boost to the planned initial public offer of the SIP in mid-2009.

Mr Goh also visited Shanghai, where he met Shanghai Party Secretary Yu Zhengsheng. Mr Goh congratulated Mr Yu on his recent appointment during the 17th Party Congress.

Mr Yu, in turn, applauded Mr Goh on a great job done in the SIP and said that he looked forward to new progress there.

Mr Goh said he was amazed at the changes in Shanghai, while Mr Yu expressed his interest in learning more about Singapore's shipping, financial and housing reforms.

Both men also discussed the common challenges faced by Singapore and Shanghai and agreed to strengthen cooperation. - CNA/ir