Press Release No. 095
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its representative offices in Vietnam are committed to providing full assistance to Republic of China (Taiwan) businesspeople and other nationals affected by the Vietnam riots and have taken the following emergency response measures:
1. Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin summoned Representative Bui Trong Van of the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei for a meeting on the morning of May 14, during which he urged the Vietnam government to act decisively to stabilize the situation, restore order, and ensure the personal safety of Taiwan businesspeople. MOFA 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 make ensuring the personal safety of Taiwan nationals their top priority. The two offices remain in close communication with the local and central governments. They have called on the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam to better protect the personal safety, property, and manufacturing facilities of Taiwan businesspeople, and to send personnel to pick up any Taiwan businesspeople in distress.
2. MOFA and the two TECOs have contacted the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Vietnam, expat groups, overseas compatriots, and Taiwan businesspeople to express concern and enquire if they need assistance, especially in making transportation arrangements and flight reservations. The TECOs in Vietnam will also help arrange transportation for Taiwan businesspeople wishing to move to a safer location.
3. TECO in Ho Chi Minh City has been working with airline companies to have them schedule larger airplanes for flights from Vietnam so as to make a greater number of seats available to ROC nationals wishing to repatriate. The airlines have promised to do their best to provide more seats on their flights.
4. TECO in Ho Chi Minh City has sent officials to the airport to assist Taiwan businesspeople returning to Taiwan, and set up a special consular service counter to provide expedited services to businesspeople applying to replace travel documents left behind in their haste to travel to safety. It has also requested and received confirmation that the Vietnam Immigration Department will ensure convenience in the exit of departing Taiwan businesspeople.
5. ROC nationals and overseas compatriots living in Vietnam may seek assistance from TECO in Ho Chi Minh City via its regular emergency hotline (+84-903927019) or four new emergency hotlines (+84-902625988, +84-908781230, +84-912390118, and +84-903407650).
MOFA and the TECOs in Vietnam will closely monitor the situation and continue discussions with the Vietnam government to ensure the personal safety of ROC businesspeople and other nationals. (E)