Regarding media reports on “Taiwan wishes to lower Taiwan-US military transaction and participation level; US expresses consternate indignance”, the Department of Defense states on Nov. 5^th that the Department has informed visiting reporters that the rumors are not truthful; however the media continue to erroneously report the situation. The Department expresses regret at this.

The Department of Defense would like to stress that Taiwan-US military relations are well and stable and that there is no lowering of participation level, nor do the US express their indignance at any lowering. The Department would like to clarify that media reports are deviating from the truth.