May 16th, 2014 -- Violent actions perpetrated by Vietnamese protestors since May 13 have imperiled the lives of Taiwan businesspeople and have damaged their property and business facilities, causing heavy losses. Republic of China (Taiwan) Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin again summoned Representative Bui Trong Van of the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei for a meeting on the morning of May 16, during which he reiterated strong condemnation of the violence that has endangered the lives and property of Taiwan businesspeople in Vietnam. Minister Lin also expressed grave concern about the situation with the Vietnam government on behalf of the ROC government.
The ROC government solemnly urges the Vietnam government to take all necessary actions to calm the unrest, prevent further violent and destructive actions against Taiwan business facilities throughout Vietnam, quickly restore order and public security, and protect the lives and property of Taiwan businesspeople. Minister Lin demanded that the Vietnam government apologize to the ROC for the incidents, punish the perpetrators, and compensate Taiwan companies for their losses as soon as possible. He also urged the Vietnam government to take prompt action in accordance with the 1993 bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement to assess the losses to Taiwan businesses and establish with the ROC government a cooperation mechanism for future negotiations on compensation matters.
In view of the planned protests in Vietnam on May 18, Minister Lin urged the Vietnam government to mobilize sufficient military and security forces to protect the personal safety and property of ROC businesspeople and overseas compatriots. He pressed for tighter security measures to be taken, especially in areas with large concentrations of Taiwan businesspeople, in order to restore their confidence in Vietnam’s investment security. The ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed the ROC representative office in Vietnam (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hanoi) and its branch office (TECO in Ho Chi Minh City) to remain in close communication with the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security and other related government agencies to ensure the personal safety of ROC businesspeople and overseas compatriots.
On May 15, the Executive Yuan launched a taskforce on responding to the Vietnam incident, calling for all respective departments to do their utmost to protect the lives and property of Taiwan businesspeople and other overseas compatriots. They are also to look after the investment and compensation rights of the Taiwan business community in Vietnam. MOFA has been working with its overseas missions to provide Taiwan businesspeople and their family members provisional entry certificates, emergency relief, and financial assistance.
MOFA has also been striving to increase the number of airplane seats for those seeking to leave Vietnam. Discussions are being held to coordinate short- and medium-term responses to any unexpected situation that may arise. In line with the Executive Yuan’s instructions, MOFA has been ardently providing Taiwan businesspeople in Vietnam emergency relief, and upholding and ensuring their safety and rights.
MOFA once again urges ROC nationals taking a trip to Vietnam for business or tourism purposes to pay close attention to safety issues when making travel plans, and calls on expats living in Vietnam to be on high alert. In the event of an emergency, they are advised to immediately contact TECO in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The emergency hotlines for TECO in Hanoi are +84-913-219-986 (for overseas callers) and 0913-219-986 (for local callers); and for TECO in Ho Chi Minh City, +84-903-927-019, +84-902-625-988, +84-908-781-230, +84-912-390-118, and +84-903-407-650 (for overseas callers), and 0903-927-019, 0902-625-988, 0908-781-230, 0912-390-118, and 0903-407-650 (for local callers). (E)
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