The rise of China and India should be seen in a positive way, said a World Economic Forum (WEF) young global leader.

"The rise of India or China should be viewed in a more positive light than a threat," Penny Low, also a member of Singapore's Parliament, said in an interview published in the WEF's website.

"We need to find more ways to connect with them, by creating more linkages and opportunities for our people. The basic premise therefore is 'co-opetition': which combines competition with cooperation," she said.

As to Singapore, she said that the country on its own would never be able to survive. Therefore from a macro perspective, as the region progresses -- India and China included -- there will be more opportunities and greater prosperity for Singapore and Singaporeans.

The interview was published just before the opening of the WEF's Asia Roundtable 2005 here on Thursday, which will discuss the impact of the Asian economic development, including the rapid economic growth of China and India.