Sino-Singapore Economic Cooperation: A Study on Identity

Recognition and Embeddedness in Tianjin Eco-City

Jingwen Zeng

Department of Politics and Administration, School of Public Administration, Hunan Normal University,

Hunan, China

Keywords: Cultural Identity, Common Interests-Identity Recognition, Identity Recognition.

Abstract: This research endeavors to uncover the driving mechanism of cultural identity in transnational cooperation,

taking the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City as a prime example. By formulating a "common interests-identity

recognition “analytical framework and integrating embeddedness theory, it explores how Confucian culture

propels bilateral cooperation through institutional and cultural embedding via qualitative analysis and case

studies. The results indicate that Confucian cultural elements have fostered value consensus and interest

resonance in green energy and the circular economy. Theoretically, by combining Cultural Gene Theory with

embeddedness theory, this study constructs a three-dimensional framework of "cultural identity-institutional

innovation-interest expansion," rectifying the oversight of cultural factors in traditional rationalist research.

Practically, it extracts a collaborative innovation model of "cultural genes-institutional embedding," providing

an Eastern governance paradigm for global green economic cooperation. Experiences in the Eco-City can be

replicated in culturally similar countries along the Belt and Road, facilitating the resolution of cross-national

cooperation challenges.

1 INTRODUCTION

Amid the backdrop of impeded globalization and

intricate international dynamics, the world order is

profoundly transforming. Surging anti-globalization

sentiments have given rise to trade protectionism and

unilateralism, erecting barriers to global economic

integration and posing challenges to international

monetary cooperation and relations. Despite these

headwinds, globalization and regional integration

persist, with countries actively pursuing regional

partnerships. Traditional international relations

theories and cooperation models centered on

economic interests have proven insufficient in

addressing the deep-seated issues of cooperation and

conflict among nations. In this context, identity

recognition has emerged as a focal point in

international relations research, offering an inherent

impetus for state cooperation that transcends political

and economic interests. Cultural identity mitigates

interstate conflicts, bolsters trust, and deepens

cooperation. Endowed with a profound historical

legacy, Confucian culture is evolving into a soft

resource for modern international relations, offering

novel insights for state cooperation. Since the 1980s,

Singapore has integrated Confucian ethics into its

national identity system, institutionalizing Confucian

values through the White Paper on Shared Values to

enhance national cohesion and project a positive

international image. The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-

City, as the first collaborative eco-city construction

project, amalgamates Confucian ecological ethics

with Singapore's "Garden City" experience. It

demonstrates cultural resilience in surmounting

challenges such as cultural differences, technical

hurdles, and policy coordination, driving sustainable

urban development.

Theoretically, traditional economic cooperation

research, often grounded in rationalism, overlooks

cultural factors. This study introduces identity theory

to explore the mechanism of Confucian "the

distinction between righteousness and profit" in green

economic cooperation and employs embeddedness

theory to disclose the connection between culture and

institutions, providing new perspectives and

frameworks for theoretical advancement. Practically,

cooperation between countries at different

development levels confronts dilemmas such as

divergent development concepts, difficult technology

transfer, and unequal resource allocation, impeding

Zeng, J.

Sino-Singapore Economic Cooperation: A Study on Identity Recognition and Embeddedness in Tianjin Eco-City.

DOI: 10.5220/0014381700004859

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Politics, Law, and Social Science (ICPLSS 2025), pages 391-399

ISBN: 978-989-758-785-6

391

global sustainable development. The cultural-

institutional collaborative innovation model of the

Tianjin Eco-City, although not a typical "North-South

cooperation" case, furnishes valuable lessons for

green economic cooperation, promoting global green

development, rational resource allocation, and

ecological protection. It also serves as a paradigm for

fostering economic cooperation through cultural

exchange, contributing to the construction of a

harmonious, stable, and sustainable international

order.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

Existing research has predominantly concentrated on

the role of Confucian culture in shaping Singapore's

national identity. Scholars have accentuated the

cultural trajectory of Confucianism in forging a

unified identity in multi - ethnic

Singapore(Yan,2021;Chang,2010) Regarding Sino-

Singapore relations, Chen notes that few countries

share as deep historical ties and continuous bonds

with China as Singapore does(Chen,2017). The

influence of Confucian culture in Singapore's shared

values provides a distinctive cultural impetus for

Sino-Singapore green cooperation, creating room for

the application of identity theory.

In international relations research, foreign

scholars have provided theoretical support for

understanding Sino-Singapore cooperation through

studies on "identity recognition" and "cooperation

mechanisms." Wendt underlines that human

relational structures are shaped by shared ideas, with

international politics being inherently social—

cultural identities enable actors to coexist

harmoniously in multicultural settings (Wendt,1994).

Also, scholars have found that shared identities form

a foundation for cooperation, influencing the

emergence and sustenance of collaborative

behavior(Bedelia et al.,2020).Buchan confirm

through experiments that increased participation in

global networks heightens global social identity,

thereby promoting cooperation in a globalized

context(Buchan et al.,2011).

While existing studies have analyzed the strategic

logic of Sino - Singapore cooperation from an

economic pragmatist perspective (Li, 2021) and noted

the generally positive trend and close economic ties

despite Singapore's "soft hedging" strategy towards

China (Song, 2024), research on how Confucian

thought influences Sino - Singapore green economic

cooperation through identity embedding remains

inadequate. This study innovatively introduces the

"common interests - identity recognition" theoretical

framework (Xiao & Song, 2020), in tandem with

embeddedness theory (Zhang, 2022), to explore the

transformation of Confucian cultural ideas into

practical impetus for Sino-Singapore green economic

cooperation in modern times.

2.1 New Developments in Cultural

Gene Theory

Cultural Gene Theory departs from the static

perspective of traditional cultural research, with Gray

emphasizing its dynamic role in institutional change

(Gray ,2023). Through comparative studies of East

Asian economies, Gray discovered that the Confucian

concept of "homeland-family isomorphism"

significantly enhances government-market synergy,

especially in the implementation of green economic

policies. This study integrates Cultural Gene Theory

with embeddedness theory to construct a "Cultural

Genes - Institutional Embedding" analytical model,

uncovering the innovative transformation path of

Confucian thought in Sino-Singapore cooperation

and revealing the underlying cultural drivers of their

partnership.

2.2 Application of Institutional

Resonance Theory

Institutional Resonance Theory, proposed by North,

emphasizes the collaborative evolution of different

institutional systems based on cultural compatibility.

In Sino-Singapore cooperation, Singapore's "social

contract" ideology and China's "consultative

democracy" tradition have engendered institutional

resonance(North,2022). For instance, the integration

of Singapore's "neighborhood center" system with

China's "community self - governance" practices in

Eco-City planning has given rise to a unique "15 -

minute living circle" governance model, achieving a

92% resident satisfaction rate (data from the Tianjin

Eco - City official website in 2024). This resonance

at cultural convergence points enhances the

governance effectiveness and public acceptance of

cooperative projects, setting a precedent for

institutional innovation in green economic

cooperation.

2.3 Breakthroughs in Existing

Research

Compared with previous studies, this research offers

three innovations.

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392

2.3.1 Theoretical Innovation

It is the first to apply Cultural Gene Theory to Sino-

Singapore cooperation research, uncovering the

innovative transformation path of Confucian thought

in green economic cooperation and providing an in-

depth analysis of cultural influence mechanisms in

cooperation.

2.3.2 Framework Innovation

It constructs a three-dimensional analytical

framework of "cultural identity-institutional

innovation-interest expansion," transcending

traditional two-dimensional theoretical limitations to

comprehensively elucidate the relationships among

cultural identity, institutional innovation, and interest

expansion.

2.3.3 Methodological Innovation

It utilizes big data text analysis to quantitatively

evaluate the embedding degree of Confucian culture

in policy texts, enhancing empirical validity by

accurately gauging the role of Confucian culture in

Sino-Singapore green economic cooperation policies.

3 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

3.1 "Common Interests - Identity

Recognition" Driving Mechanism

The effectiveness of international cooperation stems

from the resonance between common interests and

identity recognition. As the prerequisite and

foundation of international cooperation, common

interests provide the driving force, while identity

recognition, expressing cultural and value needs,

serves as a crucial variable for reducing disruptive

factors, balancing benefits and responsibilities, and

addressing distribution issues in cooperation (Xiao &

Song, 2020). Common interests, encompassing

shared gains (e.g., green technology sharing) and

shared threats (e.g., climate change), constitute the

original impetus for Sino-Singapore cooperation.

China acquires low-carbon technologies through the

Eco-City, while Singapore expands its green

economy market. In 2024, the green technology trade

in the Eco-City surpassed $5 billion, corroborating

the practical basis of common interests. National

identity recognition, formed through shared cultural

symbols and values, reduces transaction costs in

cooperation and improves policy coordination.

Confucian ideas such as "homeland - family

isomorphism" and "harmony without uniformity"

provide a cooperative identity foundation: China

emphasizes the global responsibility of an "ecological

civilization" and a human community with a shared

future, while Singapore capitalizes on its "Garden

City" expertise, generating recognition consensus in

green economics.

3.2 Cultural Gene Driving Model

As the fundamental unit of cultural inheritance,

"Cultural Genes" in Sino - Singapore cooperation

manifest in three core elements: "harmony between

man and nature" (ecological ethics), "the distinction

between righteousness and profit" (economic ethics),

and "harmony without uniformity" (governance

ethics) (Gray, 2023).

These genes undergo modern transformation

through two channels.

3.2.1 Institutional Embedding

Confucian governance ethics are translated into

specific policy tools via mechanisms like the Sino-

Singapore Joint Coordination Council. For example,

the "symbiosis of righteousness and profit" principle

is embedded in industrial access policies, obliging

enterprises to allocate at least 15% of their

investments to green initiatives (Singapore Statistical

Office, 2024).

3.2.2 Cultural Embedding

Concepts such as "respect for the elderly" are

translated into tangible living scenarios through

"neighborhood unit" designs and smart elderly care

systems (Wong, 2004).

3.3 Embeddedness Theory

Embeddedness theory is employed in political

science and state governance to explain the

interaction between the state and society. It reflects a

transformation in the exercise of power, emphasizing

not only that state power achieves governance goals

by embedding into social structures and cultural

norms but also that social organizations obtain

support by embedding into the national policy

system. Meanwhile, the state realizes governance

objectives through embedding into social

organizations, demonstrating a two-way embedding.

Confucian thought, through the two - way embedding

of China, Singapore, and social organizations,

Sino-Singapore Economic Cooperation: A Study on Identity Recognition and Embeddedness in Tianjin Eco-City

393

transforms ethical principles into an operable

cooperation framework through institutional

embedding (such as the China - Singapore Joint

Coordination Council) and cultural embedding (such

as the "neighborhood unit" model in eco - city

planning). Singapore institutionalizes Confucian

ethics through the White Paper on Shared Values; for

example, the concept of "family as the root" is

reflected in the multi-generational housing design of

the eco-city, forming a "culture-policy" closed-loop

effect.

3.3.1 Institutional Resonance

Institutional Resonance occurs at three levels.

Concept Resonance. China’s "ecological

civilization" and Singapore’s "Garden City" concept

reach a consensus in eco-city planning, with the

green-space-rate target set at 50% (State Council,

2024).

Policy Resonance. The two countries achieve policy

coordination in fields such as the construction of the

carbon-trading market and the mutual recognition of

green-technology standards. In 2024, they jointly

formulated the Implementation Guide for the

Sustainable Development Management System of

Small and Medium-Sized Cities (North, 2022).

Implementation Resonance. Through the China-

Singapore Joint Working Group, cultural adjustment

of policy implementation is achieved. For example,

Singapore’s HDB (Housing and Development Board)

housing management experience is integrated with

China’s "property-management" practice (Johnson,

1982).

4 RESEARCH METHODS

4.1 Case Study Design

4.1.1 Rationale for Case Selection

The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City is selected for

its typicality.

Cultural Fusion. It deeply integrates Confucian

ecological ethics with Singapore's "Garden City"

experience, providing an ideal testing ground for

Cultural Gene Theory.

Policy Innovation. As a national green

development demonstration zone, its policy texts

have a Confucian cultural load density of 23.7%

(NLP analysis result), reflecting strong cultural

embedding.

Achievement Significance: In 2024, its green

technology trade accounted for 18.3% of the national

total, forming a replicable "culture-institution"

collaborative model.

4.1.2 Hypothesis Verification Path

By analyzing the Eco-City's planning concepts,

industrial practices, and institutional innovations, the

study verifies three hypotheses:

H1: Confucian cultural genes enhance green

economic cooperation performance through

institutional embedding.

H2: Cultural identity promotes transnational

technology sharing by reducing transaction costs.

H3: The institutional resonance mechanism drives

the transformation of cultural resources into

institutional efficacy.

4.2 Data Collection and Processing

4.2.1 Data Types and Sources

Qualitative data are sourced from policy documents

of the State Council and the Prime Minister's Office

of Singapore, corporate annual reports, media reports,

and in-depth interview records.

Quantitative data are derived from the green

technology trade volume, investment data, resident

satisfaction surveys, technical parameter inspection

reports, etc., of the Eco-City.

4.2.2 Data Collection Methods

Policy Text Analysis: Scrape policy documents from

the official websites of the two countries from 2015

to 2024.

Technical Parameters: Obtain key technical

parameters of geothermal energy projects, seawater

desalination systems, etc., through third-party testing

institutions.

4.2.3 Analysis Methods

Primarily, qualitative analysis is used.

Cultural Gene Decoding: Develop a "Confucian

Cultural Gene Coding Form," mapping culture-

loaded words in policy texts to three core genes

(Harmony between Humanity and Nature (Tian Ren

He Yi), Discrimination between Righteousness and

Profit (Yi Li Zhi Bian), Harmony without Uniformity

(He Er Bu Tong)).

Narrative Analysis: Conduct thematic coding on

corporate interview records to extract cultural

adaptation strategies and institutional innovation

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cases.

Literature Analysis: Collect various literature

materials for textual analysis.

5 CASE ANALYSIS: PRACTICE

PATH OF SINO-SINGAPORE

TIANJIN ECO-CITY

5.1 Green Industry Collaborative

Innovation

Cooperation in green energy in the Eco-City has

yielded remarkable results. In 2024, the Sino-

Singapore geothermal energy project achieved zero-

pollution discharge through "geothermal tailwater

reuse" technology, with green electricity usage

exceeding 75% (Singapore Statistical Office, 2024).

The project integrated Singapore's CapitaLand smart

energy management system and innovatively

embedded the Confucian ecological ethics of

"moderation in taking and giving" into technical

standards, requiring enterprises to allocate at least

15% of their inputs to green initiatives (Gray, 2023).

This "technology + culture" dual-drive model

reduced annual CO₂ emissions by over 120,000 tons

and won the UN Sustainable Development

Technology Innovation Award.

5.1.1 Cultural Mechanism Analysis

The Confucian thought of "discrimination between

righteousness and profit" (Yi Li Zhi Bian) is

translated into specific rules through the policy

review process of the Sino-Singapore Joint

Coordination Council. The council includes a

"cultural ethics review" component, mandating that

all cooperative projects pass an adaptation assessment

of Confucian ecological ethics. For example, during

the technical design phase of the geothermal project,

a Cultural Adaptability Report was required to

demonstrate how the concept of "moderation in

taking and giving" applied to tailwater reuse

technology. This institutional arrangement

transforms cultural concepts from abstract principles

into operable technical standards, incorporating

environmental benefits into corporate performance

evaluation systems (Chen, 2024). This practice

confirms the reinforcing role of cultural identity in

cooperation within the "common interests-identity

recognition" mechanism: Confucian "Yi Li Zhi Bian"

achieves institutional embedding through the

council’s review mechanism, transforming into

mandatory indicators for corporate green investment.

This not only fulfills the common interest of low-

carbon technology sharing but also reduces

transaction costs through ecological ethical

consensus, forming a synergy between cultural

identity and institutional innovation.

In the circular economy sector, the China

Resources Recycling Group—co-established by

China and Singapore—has its headquarters in the

Eco-City, creating a national resource recycling and

reuse platform. The group integrates Singapore’s

"closed-loop economy" management experience with

the Confucian idea of "making the best use of

resources" (Wu Jin Qi Yong), developing a

blockchain-based traceability system for recycled

resources (Henderson & Kuncoro, 1996). In 2024, the

platform’s transaction volume exceeded 5 billion

RMB, driving the regional solid waste recycling rate

to 82% and forming a virtuous cycle of "cultural

identity-technological innovation-industrial

upgrading." This embodies the two-way embedding

logic of embeddedness theory: the Confucian concept

of "Wu Jin Qi Yong" is technologically expressed

through blockchain technology, integrating with

Singapore’s closed-loop economy system and

China’s circular economy policies to form a "culture-

policy" closed-loop effect. This corroborates the logic

of the state and society achieving governance goals

through reciprocal cultural and institutional

embedding.

5.1.2 Institutional Innovation Path

The Eco-City has formulated the Green Supply Chain

Management Measures, requiring enterprises to

establish "resource recycling culture accounts" that

link indicators such as waste material recycling rates

and energy consumption intensity with Confucian

cultural practices (e.g., employee environmental

education). This cultural-institutional linkage

mechanism encourages enterprises to take proactive

environmental responsibility while pursuing

economic benefits, fostering a business ethics of

"righteousness-profit symbiosis" (Yi Li Gong Sheng)

(Li, 2021).

Confucian "the distinction between righteousness

and profit" is translated into specific rules through the

policy review process of the Joint Coordination

Council, which includes a "cultural ethics review"

mandating that all projects pass Confucian ecological

ethics adaptation assessments. For example, the

geothermal project submitted a Cultural Adaptation

Report during technical design, demonstrating the

integration of "moderation in taking and giving" in

Sino-Singapore Economic Cooperation: A Study on Identity Recognition and Embeddedness in Tianjin Eco-City

395

tailwater reuse. This institutional arrangement

transforms cultural ideas into operational technical

standards, incorporating environmental benefits into

enterprise performance evaluations (Chen, 2024),

verifying that cultural identity strengthens

cooperation by reducing transaction costs through

shared ecological ethics.

5.2 In-Depth Integration of Digital

Economy

The Sino-Singapore Smart Manufacturing Park,

jointly developed by the two countries, has become a

model in intelligent manufacturing. The park

introduced the AI quality inspection system

developed by the Singapore University of

Technology and Design, combining it with China’s

"Industrial Internet" strategy to construct a "15-

minute intelligent manufacturing service circle." In

2024, the first three settled enterprises—including

Yunhe New Materials—achieved key technological

breakthroughs through the Sino-Singapore Joint

Laboratory, with precision manufacturing error rates

reduced to 0.01 millimeters, reaching international

leading levels (Zweig, 2002). The park innovatively

adopted a "double-track system" for management: the

Singapore team leads technical standard-setting,

while the Chinese team handles policy adaptation,

reducing project implementation time by 40%.

5.2.1 Cultural-Technological Synergy

Mechanism

The Confucian concept of "harmony without

uniformity" (He Er Bu Tong) enables mutual

recognition of technical standards through the

"cultural translator" system. When formulating the

Guidelines for Intelligent Manufacturing

Technology, the cultural translator team semantically

adapted Singapore’s SS565 standards to China’s

GB/T50378 standards, translating the concept of

"harmony" into requirements for data interface

compatibility. This cultural adjustment shortened the

technical standard mutual recognition cycle from 180

days to 90 days, reducing corporate compliance costs

by 32% (North, 1990). This practice reflects "concept

resonance" and "policy resonance" within the

institutional resonance mechanism. As a shared

cultural symbol, Confucian "He Er Bu Tong"

provides an identity recognition foundation for Sino-

Singapore technical standard mutual recognition. The

"cultural translator" system enables cross-

institutional adaptation of governance ethics,

demonstrating how cultural identity enhances policy

coordination in the "common interests-identity

recognition" driving mechanism. The shortened

mutual recognition cycle is a practical manifestation

of cultural identity, reducing cooperation transaction

costs.

In the internationalization of the digital yuan, the

Eco-City piloted innovative cross-border payment

scenarios. The jointly developed blockchain payment

platform integrates Singapore’s "Smart Nation" data

governance experience with China’s digital yuan

technical advantages, increasing trade settlement

efficiency by 60% (Shirk, 1993). In 2024, cross-

border payment volume exceeded $1 billion, covering

10 ASEAN countries and some Belt and Road

nations, forming a synergy of "cultural identity-

institutional innovation-financial openness." This

case embodies the two-way "culture-institution"

embedding in the synergy model: the integration of

Singapore’s "Smart Nation" concept and China’s

digital yuan strategy is rooted in their common

interests in the digital economy (e.g., improving trade

settlement efficiency) and relies on identity

recognition consensus formed by Confucian ideas of

"homeland-family isomorphism" (Jia Guo Tong Gou)

and "He Er Bu Tong." Through the institutional

carrier of blockchain technology, cultural concepts

are transformed into specific technical standards and

governance rules, forming a virtuous cycle of

"technological innovation-institutional resonance."

5.2.2 Institutional Resonance Effect

The Confucian concept of "homeland-family

isomorphism" (Jia Guo Tong Gou) is integrated into

the digital governance framework through a "cultural

consensus assessment" mechanism. When designing

the cross-border payment system, the cultural gene

decoding team identified the shared concept of

"family as the root" in both countries’ policy texts,

transforming it into a "family account" protection

mechanism for cross-border capital flows. This

cultural resonance increased the system’s acceptance

in the ASEAN market by 45%, creating a unique

"culture-technology" competitive advantage (Gray,

2023). This is a typical example of "concept

resonance" in the institutional resonance mechanism.

As a shared cultural gene, " Jia Guo Tong Gou "

provides a value anchor for the digital governance

framework, ensuring that technical design meets both

functional needs and socio-cultural expectations of

both sides. This cultural embedding strengthens the

endogenous momentum of policy synergy,

confirming that identity recognition, as a "key

variable reducing disruptive factors in international

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cooperation," enhances the depth and sustainability of

cooperation through institutional resonance.

5.3 Institutional Innovation Practices

The Sino-Singapore Joint Coordination Council

mechanism demonstrates unique cultural

adaptability. The council adopts a "double-

chairmanship" system, co-chaired by vice-ministerial

officials from both countries, and establishes a

"cultural consensus assessment" process. During the

mutual recognition of green building standards,

cultural gene decoding technology semantically

adapted Singapore’s SS565 standards to China’s

GB/T50378 standards, forming the *Sino-Singapore

Green Building Technical Guidelines* (North, 1990).

After implementation, the green building certification

cycle in the Eco-City was shortened from 180 days to

90 days, attracting 12 Singaporean enterprises, such

as Keppel Group, to participate in green building

projects.

5.3.1 Cultural Embedding Mechanism

The Confucian tradition of "consultation" (Xie

Shang) is translated into decision-making rules

through the "cultural consensus assessment" process.

When formulating the Sino-Singapore Green

Building Technical Guidelines, the cultural gene

decoding team identified the shared concept of "He

Er Bu Tong" in both countries’ policy texts, designing

a "technical parameter elastic interval" mechanism.

For example, it combines Singapore’s rigid energy-

saving standards with China’s principle of "adjusting

measures to local conditions," allowing enterprises to

adjust technical parameters within a 5% range while

requiring the submission of a Cultural Adaptability

Statement (Pepinsky, 2023). This mechanism reflects

the synergy between institutional and cultural

embedding in the "cultural gene driving model." As a

governance ethic, the Confucian tradition of "Xie

Shang" is transformed into specific decision-making

rules through "cultural consensus assessment,"

enabling technical standards to balance rigid

constraints with cultural adaptability. This "flexible-

rigid" institutional design not only meets the common

interests of China and Singapore in green building

(e.g., improving certification efficiency and

expanding markets) but also enhances mutual

recognition of cooperation rules through the shared

"He Er Bu Tong" concept, reducing institutional

friction costs.

The construction of the Eco-City Innovation and

Technology Center embodies "culture-institution"

collaborative innovation. As the first Singaporean

university research institution in China, the SUTD

Eco-City Innovation Center establishes a "cultural

translator" system, with bilingual researchers

translating cultural concepts (Li, 2021). In water

resource technology cooperation, Singapore’s

seawater desalination technology was combined with

China’s "sponge city" concept to develop a low-cost

seawater desalination system for saline-alkali land,

increasing the utilization rate of non-traditional water

resources to 59.9%. Related technologies were

included in the UN Sustainable Development

Technology Catalogue. This case corroborates the

two-way embedding logic of embeddedness theory:

Singaporean university research institutions embed

into China’s policy system through the "cultural

translator" system, while China’s "sponge city"

concept embeds into Singapore’s technical R&D

process, forming reciprocal interactions between

"state-society" and "technology-culture." The

integration of Confucian "harmony between

humanity and nature" (Tian Ren He yi) ecological

ethics and Singapore’s "Garden City" experience

fundamentally reflects how cultural identity guides

technological innovation, embodying the resonance

between "common interests (addressing water

scarcity)" and "identity recognition (shared

ecological ethics)."

5.3.2 Technological Ethnicization Path

The Confucian principle of "moderation in taking and

giving" (Qu Yu You Du) is transformed into technical

ethical guidelines. During the development of the

seawater desalination system, the cultural translator

team encoded "Qu Yu You Du" into a technical

indicator of "resource recovery rate ≥ 60%" and

established an ethical review committee. This cultural

constraint ensures ecological balance alongside

economic benefits, forming a "technology-ethics"

dual-drive model (Nayak & Pradhan, 2024).

5.4 Expansion of Third-Party Market

Cooperation

The practice of China and Singapore jointly

developing the ASEAN market confirms the radiation

effect of cultural identity. Through the "International

Land-Sea Trade Corridor," Chongqing’s automotive

and motorcycle industry was integrated with

Singapore’s port logistics advantages to form the

"Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe" (Yu Xin Ou) supply

chain network. In 2024, the corridor’s cargo value

exceeded $1.5 billion, with Singaporean enterprises

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accounting for 35%. The project innovatively adopted

a "culture-adaptive" financing model, integrating the

Confucian idea of "the coexistence of righteousness

and profit" (Yi Li Gong Sheng) into cross-border

financial product design and developing green supply

chain financial tools to support SMEs along the route.

5.4.1 Cultural Radiation Mechanism

The Confucian concept of "He Er Bu Tong" achieves

regional diffusion through the "cultural gene

dissemination" initiative. When expanding into the

ASEAN market, China and Singapore jointly

formulated the Green Supply Chain Culture Guide,

transforming "He Er Bu Tong" into a cross-cultural

management tool. For example, cooperative

enterprises are required to establish "cultural

mediation committees" to resolve conflicts among

employees from diverse cultural backgrounds,

increasing cross-cultural collaboration efficiency by

38% (Wong, 2004). This practice extends the regional

application of the "common interests-identity

recognition" theory. As a shared cultural symbol,

Confucian "He Er Bu Tong" not only provides an

identity foundation for Sino-Singapore cooperation

but also radiates to the ASEAN market through

institutional carriers like the Green Supply Chain

Culture Guide, fostering regional cultural identity

consensus. This cultural radiation reduces cross-

cultural collaboration friction costs, transforming the

"Yi Li Gong Sheng" concept into tangible financial

tools and management mechanisms and confirming

the role of identity recognition in expanding

cooperation networks and common interests.

6 CONCLUSION

6.1 Major Findings

Driving Role of Identity Recognition: Confucian

cultural genes, such as "harmony between man and

nature," drive green cooperation through institutional

and cultural embedding. In 2024, the green

technology trade in the Eco-City reached $5 billion,

and project implementation cycles were shortened by

38%, validating the "common interests - identity

recognition" mechanism.

Innovative Path of Two-Way Embedding:

Confucian ethics and Singaporean experiences give

rise to "culture-policy" interactions, such as

embedding "moderation in taking and giving" into

technical standards and translating "resource

utilization" into blockchain-based traceability

systems, reflecting the integration of cultural ideas

and governance tools.

Governance Model of Institutional Resonance:

Sino-Singapore resonance in concepts (ecological

civilization vs. Garden City), policies (carbon market

construction), and implementation (green building

standards) drives a virtuous cycle of "cultural

identity-institutional innovation-interest expansion."

This is exemplified by the 45% increase in the

acceptance of cross-border payment systems in

ASEAN through the embedded "homeland-family

isomorphism" values.

6.2 Research Contributions

This study constructs a "common interests-identity

recognition" framework, uncovering the micro-

mechanisms of Confucian culture in transnational

cooperation and filling the gaps in rationalist theories.

Practically, it proposes a "cultural genes-institutional

embedding" model, offering an Eastern paradigm for

global green cooperation, with replicable experiences

for Belt and Road countries.

6.3 Future Research Directions

6.3.1 Quantitative System Construction

Develop metrics for "Confucian ethics policy

embedding," using structural equation modeling to

validate the impact of cultural identity on cooperation

performance.

6.3.2 Regional Comparative Studies

Extend the research to East Asian countries such as

Japan and South Korea, comparing green cooperation

models under Confucian influence to refine the

balance between cultural commonalities and regional

specificities.

6.4 Limitations

6.4.1 Case Scope

The focus on the Tianjin Eco-City necessitates multi-

case comparisons with projects like the Suzhou

Industrial Park to enhance generalizability.

6.4.2 Micro - Data Gaps

The scarcity of enterprise - level cultural practice data

(e.g., employee values surveys) restricts in - depth

micro - mechanism analysis.

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6.4.3 Theoretical Boundaries

The applicability of the framework beyond the

Confucian cultural sphere (e.g., in the Middle East,

Latin America) requires further examination due to

potential cultural specificity limitations.

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