China's new role in the world is beneficial to the whole international community, said Somkid Jatusripitak , deputy Prime Minister of Thailand when attending a regional investment summit here Wednesday.

With its strength expanding, China has shown, via actions rather than words, the commitment to take constructive actions, said Somkid at the 2nd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit which was opened Wednesday in Nanning, capital of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

"We recall and remain truly appreciative of China's positive role during the Asian financial crisis of 1997, just as we today admire China's positive actions in the international trade and financial arena," he said, stressing that "the rise of China should be viewed as an important opportunity rather than a threat to be feared."

"To capture this opportunity, we need breakthrough partnerships and synergy based on mutual trust and understanding," noted Somkid.

Somkid said he was convinced that ASEAN is at the forefront to form such a partnership with China.

"For the past 20 years, we have seen positive signals from China to further enhance our linkages. These have been well matched by ASEAN and the ASEAN-China FTA was born," said Somkid, adding that this FTA will further boost the two-way trade that now runs at over 100 billion US dollars and is expected to double by 2010. And ultimately, it will lead to a free trade area with a total population of 1.8 billion, the largest the world has ever seen.

"Look forward, many see the Asia Century," said Somkid, who has proposed that a comprehensive ASEAN-China strategic partnership should be built.