Foreign Minister David Lin on Sunday called on Vietnamese officials to protect the interests of Taiwanese citizens and businesses in Vietnam after anti-Chinese riots broke out this past week. The demonstrators were protesting the fact that China moved a drilling rig into waters claimed by both sides. Taiwanese citizens were also injured in the attacks, with at least ten Taiwanese factories set on fire.
Foreign Minister Lin summoned Vietnam’s representative to Taiwan Bui Trong Van again on Sunday. Lin strongly condemned the violent acts of the protestors, and made four requests. He requested that Vietnam’s government: ensure the safety of Taiwanese businesspeople and citizens living in Vietnam, compensate them for their losses, ensure their access to legal recourse, and work to return investor confidence.
The two officials held a joint press conference on Sunday afternoon following their meeting. Vietnam’s representative to Taiwan Bui Trong Van once again offered an apology. He said that the Vietnamese government would do everything necessary to restore the lives and businesses of Taiwanese people in Vietnam. He said that officials were working on cutting land and business taxes, and offering preferential loans and other ways of making up for the damages and loss of property and to help Taiwanese businesses resume normal operations.
The envoy also said that Vietnam’s leadership has said that it will not allow a repeat of last week’s demonstrations.
As for reports that more anti-China demonstrations had been scheduled for Sunday, so far the situation has been relatively quiet.