Minister of the council in charge of Overseas Chinese affairs Stephen Chen says his ministry has asked local police forces in Vietnam to protect Taiwanese businesses.
Chen’s comments come after massive anti-China protests broke out in parts of Vietnam. Taiwanese businesses have been targeted by locals unable to tell the difference between Chinese and Taiwanese.
Speaking on Wednesday, Chen said that his ministry set up an emergency contact mechanism for Taiwanese businessmen in Vietnam on Tuesday evening. Chen said that Taiwanese in the area report that protests have spread beyond Bình Dương Province, reaching Đồng Nai Province as well. There are reports that demonstrators are also moving on Vũng Tàu City.
Nearly a thousand Taiwanese businesses are said to be affected as protestors launch attacks on industrial parks located around the area.
Chen said that Taiwanese businesses have a good reputation in Vietnam. He said that most Vietnamese do understand the difference between Taiwanese and Chinese-owned businesses. He said that his ministry has asked local police to protect Taiwanese businesses and increase their communication with local people.