The government is calling on Taiwanese businesses in Myanmar to stay alert… that’s after at least 39 people were killed on Sunday, one of the deadliest days since a coup installed a military regime in the southeast Asian nation.
Much of the violence on Sunday took place in an industrial area of Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city. A number of factories sustained damage after they were set on fire. One of the affected factories is owned by a shoe company with Taiwanese investment. The company – Tsang Yih – makes high-end sneakers for Adidas. Ten Taiwanese workers were initially trapped inside the factory but have been confirmed safe.
The warning for Taiwanese businesses came from Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Minister Tung Chen-yuan during a report at the legislature on Monday.
Tung says that the worsening situation in Myanmar has affected some Taiwanese businesses. He says OCAC’s staff in Myanmar have kept in contact with the Taiwanese community, via a group chat on the messaging app LINE, which they set up in February.
Tung says the government will offer assistance if necessary.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s representative office in Myanmar has urged Taiwanese businesses to fly Taiwan’s national flag and put up a sign that says “Taiwan company” in order to avoid being misidentified as a Chinese company.