U.S. does not deny involvement in training Taiwan troops

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. has not denied reports that it has sent troops to train military forces in Taiwan for at least a year, working to bolster the island's ability to defend itself amid growing concerns of an armed conflict with China.

Marines and a special operations unit have been training ground and maritime forces there on rotational deployments, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. A Pentagon spokesman did not deny the training of Taiwan's forces when asked, declining to comment on "specific operations, engagements or training."