SINGAPORE, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Former Chinese Vice-Premier Li Lanqing received an Honorary Doctor Degree of Letters from the National University of Singapore (NUS) here Thursday.

    Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew attended the conferment ceremony at the NUS, along with the faculty and students from the university.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Li said that the cooperation and exchanges between China and Singapore in the fields of political relations, economy, trade, education, culture, science, technology and tourism are getting closer and bearing fruit.

    "Through mutually beneficial cooperation, we have not only promoted the fundamental interests of our two peoples, but also contributed to prosperity and progress of our region and the world as a whole," said Li, who retired in 2003.

    NUS President Shih Choon Fong announced that the NUS will set up a China Strategy Committee to ride on the emerging opportunities in China.

    The university will also establish an office in Beijing to facilitate academic, enterprise and outreach activities, Shih said, adding that some 1,000 NUS students are expected to be sent to China annually for different programs within five years.

    Li is in Singapore for a six-day visit at the invitation of Lee Kuan Yew and the NUS, which will end on Friday. Enditem