In the 8th Asia Security Summit, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Teo Chee Hean highlighted the importance and greater requirement of transparency in military affairs so as to avoid misunderstandings in the region. He categorically stated that military transparency "is not an end in itself but a means to peace and stability," and further delineated three operative levels of military transparency, “namely disclosure armaments and arsenals, statements of strategic intent, cooperative and inclusive action”1.

• 1. “Singapore official: Military transparency crucial to avoid misunderstandings”, People’s Daily (Online) May, 31, at http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6668298.html