On November 2, 2023, Taicang City (Suzhou, China) and the Stuttgart Region in Germany signed the MoU for cooperation. This marked a significant step in the partnership between the two regions, emphasizing a joint commitment towards low-carbon urban districts and green economic initiatives.
The MoU was formalized in the presence of Taicang’s Mayor Xu Huadong and Stuttgart Region’s Executive Director Thomas Kiwitt. Mayor Xu outlined Taicang’s ambition to develop into a “Modern Garden City”, emphasizing green development as the cornerstone of Sino-German cooperation. Mr. Kiwitt highlighted the role of Stuttgart Region and Taicang as a bridge in EU-China cooperation, foreseeing fruitful exchanges and cooperation.
The MoU, signed by Zhang Zhan, Deputy Mayor of Taicang City, and Thomas Kiwitt, includes cooperation in green and low-carbon urban development, support in developing of Sino-German (Taicang) Zero Carbon Experimental Demonstration Zones, and industrial ecosystems transformation.
A working session was held on public transport-oriented development, low-carbon city construction, industrial ecosystem transformation, and the circular economy, followed by a workshop specialised on transit-oriented development (TOD), elaborating on TOD principles and providing insights into the practices of both parties. These discussions laid a solid foundation for future collaborative actions in zero-carbon urban district, highlighting TOD, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
During the Stuttgart Region’s study visit to Taicang from October 31 to November 3, the Stuttgart Region delegation gained insight into Taicang’s economic and social development and international cooperation. They visited Taicang City Planning Exhibition Hall, Donglin Town’s Agricultural Recycling Ecological Development Project, Taicang High-tech Zone’s Sino-German Thirty Years of Cooperation Achievement Exhibition, and United Automotive Electronic Systems Co., Ltd., showcasing Taicang’s achievements in industrialization, integration of industry and urban development, and efficient governance.
The MoU between Taicang and the Stuttgart Region represents a mutual commitment to green and resilient urbanisation and industrial ecosystem transformation. It’s a model of international cooperation addressing global climate change challenges, promoting green growth and open territorial cooperation.