Regarding the media coverage of “Ministry of National Defense Ordering All Female Comrades to Refrain from Drinking Alcohol during Banquets”, Ministry of National Defense pointed out that due to the frequent violation of gender-related cases among the Armed Forces recently, minister Mr. Yen gathered important cadres including unit leaders and supervisors, who are above the combined arms brigade level, on June 5^th, to convene an expanded military discipline review meeting to deeply review on the recent incidents of military discipline; he hoped to fully eliminate security risk factors from the troops, and also ordered all troops to implement comprehensive risk control and safety precautions in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The ministry hereby clarifies that the propaganda on the relevant orders from the meeting has been published on the Youth Daily News on June 6^th, and the order of “Ordering All Female Comrades to Refrain from Drinking Alcohol during Banquets” was never mentioned, let alone being associated with female discrimination.

Ministry of National emphasized that military discipline is the foundation to the exertion of combat capability; the ministry will continue deepening the concept of law and discipline for soldiers and officers, rectify military discipline, and implement an order of “Gradual Supervision, Stratified Responsibility” to ensure military discipline and safety within the troops as well as maintain the reputation of the Armed Forces.