China's Fudan University in Shanghai Tuesday conferred Honorary Doctor's Degree of Law to Lee Kuan Yew, 82-year-old Singapore Minister Mentor.

Qin Shaode, Chairman of the School Committee of Fudan University, said the degree is to mark Lee's great contributions to promoting Sino-Singaporean relations.

In his speech, Lee said in the next 30 years, the rise of China and India will shift the world's center from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and Indian Ocean.

"China's revival requires not only economic advancement, but also the increase of soft power, such as culture and art. Shanghai will possibly become China's soft power center," he said.

Born in 1923, Lee Kuan Yew was Prime Minister of the Singapore Republic from 1965 to 1990. He has served as the Minister Mentor of the Singapore Cabinet since January 1997.

Fudan University is one of China's top universities that have maintained close exchanges with Singapore academic circle. Fudan University and the National University of Singapore have established strategic partnership and students and teachers exchange program.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2005)