'Our companies are bullish about China,' he added in a speech made at the end of a trip which saw a few major deals inked by Singapore companies in the Yangtze River Delta.

This optimism in the future of China is why the Singapore Government will continue to encourage its firms to build links here for mutual benefit, he observed at the work commencement ceremony of the Singapore Pavilion of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

'The growth of China in the last several decades is unprecedented in human history, and has lifted millions of Chinese out of poverty,' he said.

'Singapore wishes China well and wants China to succeed. A stable, strong and responsible China is good for Singapore and Asia.'

Singapore's confidence in China can be seen by the broadening of the scope of cooperation between the two countries.

While government-level projects used to dominate, commercial collaborations are fast taking over - a trend which Mr Lee said is the key difference from the past in tie-ups between the two countries.

'There are many projects which the private sector has taken up. They are carrying the ball and running and it's in a broad area,' he told Singapore reporters. 'I think the scope has broadened. We are in more places and our business people are more confident.'

In the last fortnight alone, five major commercial projects in the Yangtze River Delta area have made the news.

In Zhejiang province, Ascendas is building the Singapore-Hangzhou Science and Technology Park, and CapitaLand's 'Raffles City' shopping mall and office complex is also coming up.

RSP Architects, which has former Singapore chief planner Liu Thai Ker as its director, also inked a deal on Saturday to build a 100 sq km residential and commercial project in Ningbo city.

Over in neighbouring Jiangsu province, both the Singapore-Nanjing Eco High-Tech Island and the Suzhou-Nantong High Tech Park had their ground-breaking two weeks ago.

And these projects, while driven by commercial companies, received the support of both the Chinese provincial authorities, as well as the Singapore Government.

Both Mr Lee, and Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng on an earlier visit, attended events to endorse and support these projects.

'If you have a good relationship with the officials, it helps a great deal to open doors and to open up opportunities for our business people, which is why I went to Hangzhou and Ningbo this time,' said Mr Lee.

Asked if Singapore is putting its eggs all in one basket - China, he replied: 'We put eggs in all the baskets we can find. There are lots of opportunities here.

'But there are also opportunities in India, in the Middle East and in the developed countries too. And we will go where ever the opportunities are. But I think China is a major growth story for Asia and for the world and we have to be present in China.'

But he warned that it is important for Singapore businessmen to show that they are capable, trustworthy and can deliver in China.

'Then I think we strengthen our Singapore brand and we can do better in the long term. If you let the side down, and it turns out we are not so special after all, I think it's a loss for Singapore over the long term.'

Mr Lee, who also met Shanghai party boss Yu Zhengsheng yesterday, wrapped up his four-day visit of China and flew home last night.


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'The Singapore Pavilion will also showcase our transforming landscape. Over the next few years, we are adding new infrastructure, including the integrated resorts, the Gardens by the Bay and new Marina Bay downtown. These will completely rejuvenate our city centre.'