In response to the media report “The Ministry intends to assign Deputy Minister to attend “The US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference” this year”, the Ministry of National Defense pointed out today (24^th) as follows:

1. Since 2002, US Taiwan Business Council annually hold “The US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference” and focus on the cooperation and development of the national defense industry between the two nations through discussion. It is an unofficial platform.

2. This year, “The US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference” is scheduled to be hold at October 28^th to October 30^th in Annapolis, Maryland, US. The main content of the conference is industrial cooperation and industrial security, and the Ministry intends to assign the Armament Deputy Minister Admiral Chang to join the meeting as he is familiar with the national defense industry.

3. The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that it welcome all activities that are beneficial to the development of the national defense industry and will actively participate in these activities, and will describe the national defense autonomy policy and position in the meeting to let US relevant parties understand the needs of the development ROC national defense industry, and thus enhance the industrial cooperation between both nations and improve the power of national defense autonomy of ROC.