Progress and Advancement is an 8.5 metres (28 ft) bronze sculpture by Taiwanese artist Yang-Ying Fen. Located outside of Raffles Place MRT station, the sculpture weighs 9,000 kilograms (20,000 lb). It depicts a model of Singapore's Central Business District (CBD) surrounded by a spiral representing a dragon. There are also 3 reliefs on the sculpture's busts depicting Admiral Cheng Ho's treasure voyage, Raffles' arrival into Singapore, and Singapore as the world's busiest port at the time of the sculpture's unveiling. It was one of Yang's biggest projects, costing around S$1 million (1988) (US$496,912.93) at the time of its opening,
Progress and Advancement was initially commissioned for the United Overseas Bank Centre (UOBC) by Lien Ying Chow and was going to be made out of stainless steel. Over fears of light reflecting to other buildings from the sculpture, it was decided that the sculpture would be made out of bronze. After a two-week shipping delay, the sculpture was assembled 3 hours before the UOBC's opening ceremony on 8 August 1988. However, it was moved to Raffles Place MRT station on 4 August 1989 by the Public Arts Committee to enhance the artistic value of Raffles Place. It was reported to have positive reception from passers-by, who said that the sculpture was "unique".