The Annual Report on China-Singapore Green Industry Investment Cooperation (2025) is released at the conference on Oct 29. [Photo/english.jinan.gov.cn]

The China-Singapore Sustainable Development and Jinan City Promotion Conference was held in Jinan, Shandong province, on Oct 29.

The conference brought together government representatives, business leaders, and experts from China and Singapore for in-depth discussions on green and sustainable development, industrial cooperation, and urban innovation.

The Annual Report on China-Singapore Green Industry Investment Cooperation (2025) was released at the conference, highlighting opportunities and shared experiences in green development between the two countries from 2023 to 2025.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China. Peter Tan Hai Chuan, Ambassador of Singapore to China, said at the conference, that Shandong has become an important partner for Singapore and the province creates a stable and fair business environment.

He added that the Shandong (Singapore) Business Center in Jinan has set an example by helping Singaporean companies better understand and adapt to the local business environment, while also providing support from local authorities.

Agreements on sustainable development projects are signed at the conference on Oct 29. [Photo/english.jinan.gov.cn]

Liu Qiang, Party chief of Jinan, highlighted the city's achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period. According to Liu, Jinan has seen a remarkable improvement in multiple areas, with its per capita GDP rising from 16,400 yuan ($2,311.5) in 2020 to 20,000 yuan in 2024. Energy consumption per unit of GDP fell by 23.5 percent over the same period.

Jinan will leverage the Jinan Start-up Area for Growth Drivers Transformation and the Jinan Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone to foster a more favorable business environment, create additional investment opportunities, and further strengthen cooperation with Singaporean enterprises, he added.

According to Sun Bin, director of the Management Committee of the Jinan Start-up Area for Growth Drivers Transformation, the region is collaborating with Singapore to develop the 66-square-kilometer Sino-Singapore Jinan Future Industry City, focusing on future information, future energy, and future space, with 27 projects currently underway.

Sean Chiao, CEO of SJ Group, a Singapore-based urban, infrastructure, and management services consultancy, shared Singapore's experience in sustainable urban development, noting that green and low-carbon growth has become a new driver of urban competitiveness.

Huang Zhenhui from Shandong Iron and Steel Group proposed three key areas of cooperation to jointly foster new quality productive forces — building green cities, expanding global markets, and promoting industrial upgrading.