Wen reassures Asian neighbors

China's rapid economic rise spells an opportunity, not a threat, to the rest of East Asia, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told leaders from neighboring countries in the run-up to the inaugural East Asian summit which begins in Malaysia on Wednesday. "China's development not only benefits its 1.3 billion people but also provides more opportunities for other East Asian countries," Wen said. In addition to supplanting the US as the largest trading partner for several Asian nations, China has boosted its military build-up and diplomatic clout, raising fears that it could dominate the region. Trade between China and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) grew by 25% in the first half of 2005 to US$59.76 billion.