NEW YORK - The United States should be optimistic about China, work on its ties with Beijing and not exaggerate the dangers of the rise of the Asian giant, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Thursday.

Downer said that while he believed the United States had done a good job so far of managing its relationship with China, there were still many Americans -- including members of Congress -- who viewed it as a threat to Washington.
Although the White House said earlier on Thursday that Australia and Canada had joined the United States in voicing concerns to China over a satellite-killing test in space, Downer said an emerging China was not necessarily dangerous.

"I think there will always be difficulty in (the US) relationship with China," Downer said in an interview. "But there's no need to exaggerate dangers of a rising China. A rising China isn't necessarily a danger to America."

"In the medium term, not in the short term, America should be optimistic about its relationship with China. It is potentially a good relationship and they should work on it, despite the less than ideal political system in China."

Last March, during security talks between allies Australia, Japan and the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice voiced concerns that a military build-up by Beijing could outpace its regional ambitions and interests.

In October, a US congressional panel released a report that said China, despite its rising power and wealth, may not be willing or ready to play a responsible role in an international system aimed at encouraging peace and stability.


MARKETS AND RESOURCES

Downer, in the United States to promote Australian tourism and investment opportunities, said energy-hungry China, which has experienced several years of double-digit economic growth, was driven mainly by markets and resources.

"China is one of the things that is working pretty well in the world," Downer said in his car as he traveled between appointments in New York. "I think on balance they are handling their position pretty well."

Downer said that overall, the United States had done a good job with its relationships throughout Asia, "guided and helped very much by Australia" in the southeast of the region.

"Australia needs America to have a positive relationship with China," he said.

Australia has deals worth tens of billions of dollars to export liquefied natural gas to China. Earlier this month it signed an agreement that will now allow it to begin exporting uranium to China.

Downer, foreign minister for nearly 11 years, said comparisons should not be drawn between China and the old Soviet Union.

"The Chinese are much more pragmatic and engaging with the rest of the world. They are not trying to change the architecture of the world," he said.