May 14, 2014
Press Release No. 094
Republic of China (Taiwan) Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin met with Representative Bui Trong Van of the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei on the morning of May 14 to strongly condemn violence against Taiwan enterprises and express serious concern over the situation on behalf of the ROC government.
May 13 riots in Vietnam by people protesting mainland China’s deployment of an oil drilling platform in the waters off the Shisha (Paracel) Islands have jeopardized Taiwan’s businesspeople, Minister Lin called on the Vietnamese government to act decisively to stabilize the situation, restore order, and ensure the personal safety of Taiwan businesspeople. He also requested that, once the situation has calmed down, the Vietnam government would act responsibly by looking into compensating Taiwan businesspeople for damage done to their manufacturing facilities. Representative Bui promised that the greatest possible effort would be made to protect the investments of Taiwan and other foreign partners in Vietnam, and that his government would dispatch military and public security forces to put an end to unrest and restore social order.
Representative Bui said that he had informed his government of ROC concern over the situation and the personal safety and property of Taiwan entrepreneurs in Vietnam. He also stated that his government clearly understands ROC concerns and has pledged to protect foreign investment in Vietnam, including that by Taiwan. It will also mobilize military and public security forces to calm unrest and restore order. Representative Bui said that he would promptly forward the ROC government request for compensation for losses incurred to his government for its consideration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its representative offices in Vietnam will closely monitor the situation and continue discussions with the Vietnamese government to ensure the personal safety of Taiwan businesspeople in Vietnam. (E)