September 27, 2024
No. 320
Typhoon Yagi swept across Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar in September, triggering floods and landslides, causing many casualties, and damaging property. Despite suffering significant adverse effects themselves, Taiwan’s businesspeople in affected areas displayed the warmth of the Taiwanese people, making generous donations of relief supplies and assisting with reconstruction efforts.
Southeast Asian countries are close neighbors of Taiwan. The people and government of Taiwan empathize with Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar in the wake of the disaster. While attending the opening ceremony of the 30th World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce annual conference and the third joint meeting of its boards of directors and supervisors on September 27, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung made note of the postdisaster recovery assistance that Taiwanese businesspeople have provided and the Taiwanese spirit of compassion and resilience that they have shown in their host countries. He then announced the donation of US$100,000 in relief funds each to Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar. Minister Lin also expressed hope that Taiwanese companies in these three countries would soon resume normal production and operations, contribute to the local economy, and deepen friendship between Taiwan and Southeast Asian nations and their respective peoples. (E)