Chinese government's quick response to the May 12 earthquake received the approbation of the forum participants.

"The Sichuan earthquake showed how much China has changed and offered a glimpse of its future: a more open and self-confident nation," the prime minister Lee said.

China's military leader Ma Xiaotian detailed the PLA's relief efforts after the devastating earthquake and thanked for more than 30 countries and international organizations who have provided relief efforts to the affected areas.

Referring to Myanmar, the defense minister Teo said, "I think most of us would agree that we would have preferred to see a different outcome, where the aid flow available from the international community might have been put to more prompt and effective use."

Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak urged Myanmar to let the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) play a bigger role in providing relief to cyclone-hit areas.

"We would like to see ASEAN being allowed to play a much bigger role because the situation is very, very serious in Myanmar," he spoke at the forum.

The 10-member bloc, which includes Myanmar, has played a leading role in coordinating foreign aids to Myanmar.

Myanmar's Deputy Defense Minister Aye Myint told the forum that the focus of cyclone relief is now on reconstruction, and Myanmar welcomes "no strings attached" foreign aid.

"We would warmly welcome any assistance and aid which are provided with genuine goodwill from any country or organization provided that there are no strings attached, or politicization involved," he said.

South Korean Defence Minister Lee Sang-Hee called for the creation of a global crisis management system to cope with increasingly destructive natural disasters.

"A crisis management system of global reach is urgently required to effectively manage the vestiges of natural disasters," Lee said, adding that "Working together on such a system will strengthen our regional and global cooperation in dealing with today's uncertainty."

The Shangri-La Dialogue, now in its seventh year, has played a useful role in shaping common perceptions and norms of behavior in the region.