Southeast Asian nations need not fear China's economic and military might and should prepare to seize the opportunities the country's growing prosperity will provide, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"We do not think that China will indulge in military adventures. There is therefore no reason for Southeast Asia to fear China's military might," Mahathir said in an address to a Malaysia-China Partnership Summit yesterday.

"The only thing that Southeast Asia need to worry about is the attitude they take vis-a-vis China.

"If Southeast Asia participates in trying to contain China then an atmosphere of confrontation will develop and much will be wasted on preparation for conflicts.

"Southeast Asia will certainly stand to lose in the ensuing tension," Mahathir said in the speech, which was read on his behalf by Defence Minister Najib Razak.

Mahathir made a similar remark while opening the seventh World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention last July, adding that China played a key role in balancing other powerful nations.

Big market

Mahathir said a mechanism such as the East Asia Economic Grouping (EAEG), which was mooted during the state visit of China's then prime minister Li Peng to Kuala Lumpur in 1990, was necessary for defusing any potentially dangerous disputes.

Such a group, which Mahathir has long favoured, could help resolve challenges and create opportunities for Southeast Asian countries to benefit from China's prosperity and stability, he said.

"Not only will China be a great market for the products and services of Southeast Asia but also there will be a lot of Chinese investment in Southeast Asia."

Half a billion Southeast Asians would also become a huge market for China's products and services.

"The chances are that at worst a balance will be attained but with astuteness Southeast Asia will benefit more from the opening up of the ever-richer China market," he was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Malaysia itself would vigorously promote co-operation with China in trade, economy, science, technology, culture and education, he said. - AFP