"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

By Kazi Mahmood, IOL Southeast Asia Correspondent

KUALA LUMPUR, September 19 (IslamOnline.net) - Southeast Asian (SEA) countries need not to worry about China as the country is unlikely to indulge in any military adventure and expansionism and was friendly towards the nations in this region, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday, September 19.

Saying he did not believe China would use military force to attack any countries in South East Asia, he added that unless China was provoked, the fear of Chinese imperialism was misplaced because in today's world, military conquest was unnecessary, costly and counter-productive.

"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," he said in his keynote address at the Malaysia-China Partnership Summit, Bernama reported.

Mahathir, who is also a professional doctor said that establishing 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 December 1990, was necessary for defusing any potentially dangerous disputes.

China is currently disputing ownership of the Spratlys Islands with the Philippines. The Island is also eyed by Malaysia.

Mahathir said the EAEG could help resolve such challenges and create opportunities for SEA countries to benefit from China's prosperity and stability.

"Not only China will 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," he added.

The Prime Minister said half a billion Southeast Asians would also become a huge market for China's product and services.

"The only thing that Southeast Asia need to worry 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 in preparation for conflicts. Southeast Asia will certainly stand to lose in the ensuing tension," said Mahathir.

He added that the emergence of China as an economic powerhouse should not worry Southeast Asian countries as there would be challenges and opportunities and that the SEA countries had to learn to manage the challenges and seize opportunities.

"The chances are that at worse a balance will be attained but with astuteness Southeast Asia will benefit more from the opening up of the ever-richer China market," he said.

Mahathir said the establishment and official launching of the Malaysia-China Business by Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Beijing was significant.

The council could certainly be used as a conduit to further enhance bilateral business and economic co-operation, he added.

An Institute of China Studies is also to be set up in Kuala Lumpur to enhance bilateral ties between Malaysia and China.

Badawi said on Thursday that such institute was vital considering the emergence of China as a superpower in the near future.

“China will one day become a superpower and it is only appropriate that we learn more about the country, its culture, politics and economic development,” he said according to Bernama, after an official visit to the Chinese capital.

Abdullah said his visit to China had deepened ties between the two countries.

He added that he was able to meet with top leaders of the country and discuss a wide range of issues, including current developments and the future of East Asia, Asean and the Middle East.

Abdullah said China should not be regarded as an economic threat.

“There are vast opportunities for us to tap in China. Yes, we will compete with them but it will be beneficial for both countries,” he said.