TIANJIN, June 24 (People’s Daily Online) -- Foreign journalists from China Radio International visited the Binhai New Area (BNA) on June 24, a pilot zone of China's economic reform and a promising growth engine in northern China’s Tianjin, focusing on the economic development and environmental protection in Binhai.

The journalists also visited the major project of Binhai New Area - Tianjin Eco-city. The eco-city is a joint project by China and Singapore to develop a socially harmonious, environmentally friendly and resource-conserving city in China. Dedicated to environmental protection, resource and energy conservation, and sustainable development, it serves as a model for sustainable development for other cities in China. Its community center adopts the concept of Singapore’s neighborhood center to offer one-stop and full range of community services,

“Now China is a very powerful country in economy, and Tianjin is also at a high level in economy. I think my country in Latin American needs to learn how Tianjin is doing this,” Erick Terry, an expert from CRI said to People’s Daily Online. “The middle class in China is now growing fast, because China had made progress in economy. That kind of community center in the eco-city became very useful for the people who need to work, especially for new couples, or middle class of China. So I also think Binhai is very modern and very comfortable.”

“I am so impressive about the Tianjin Eco-city, I hope more foreigners should know this place and cooperate with them,” Madeleine Thiam, a French experts of CRI told People’s Daily Online. This is her first time visit to Tianjin. “I think this trip is very interesting and important. I saw many towers, many commercial centers, national parks, eco-city; it is good for tourists and foreigners to see the economy and development of Tianjin,” she said. “And the community center is very good for elders and kids; I think the Tianjin eco-city is also livable for foreigners, and they can settle here with their family,” she added.