The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) should have emergency and contingency measures prepared ahead of mass demonstration activities in Vietnam tomorrow and assist Taiwanese compatriots there to return home if necessary, Vice Premier Mao Chi-kuo stated today.
Mao also directed the MOFA to proactively negotiate with the Vietnamese government to ensure that all Taiwanese tourists, businesspeople and expatriates in Vietnam are guaranteed of their personal safety and property.
The vice premier made these remarks while presiding over the third meeting of the Executive Yuan's cross-ministerial Vietnam riot response task force. He also acknowledged related agencies for their efforts in closely monitoring the latest developments in Vietnam and mapping out various assistance measures.
At the meeting, the MOFA stated that the overseas travel alert for Vietnam as a whole has been raised to "yellow," while the alerts for Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 as well as Binh Duong Province and Dong Nai Province shall remain "orange." ("Orange" advises against non-essential travel to the area; "yellow" advises citizens to be aware of travel safety and reconsider plans for visiting.)
The ministry has also called upon ROC citizens planning to travel to Vietnam for business in the next few days to avoid areas where crowds might gather for demonstration so as to ensure their own safety.
The riots mainly affected Binh Duong Province, Dong Nai Province and Ho Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) pointed out. According to the ministry's preliminary estimates, 107 Taiwanese businesses were broken into and vandalized, while over 10 factories were severely damaged, some to the point that they cannot resume operations.
The MOEA stated it has completed preliminary investigations of damages and losses incurred by Taiwanese businesses and preparation of its own response strategies. To help Taiwanese seek indemnity for their businesses' property losses and rebuilding, the MOEA has set up single-window services in Vietnam to provide Taiwanese businesspeople with needed services, including assistance with estimating their losses, preserving evidence and claiming compensation as well as business operation and management guidance. In addition, financial assistance has been extended to Taiwanese businesses that incurred losses during the riots.
If circumstances permit, MOEA Vice Minister Shen Jong-chin will lead a delegation comprising representatives of relevant industries (such as textiles, shoes and bicycles) as well as management experts to Vietnam May 21 to serve Taiwanese businesspeople there and get first-hand understanding of their situation.
The MOTC stated that since the occurrence of the riots, it has coordinated with airline operators to provide sufficient seats on Taiwan-bound flights to Taiwanese stranded in Vietnam. Over the past few days there have been vacancies available on these flights, indicating demand has been met. The MOTC has already completed transportation contingency plans for tomorrow's demonstrations.
The Tourism Bureau is keeping track of the latest movements and circumstances of all Taiwanese tour groups presently in Vietnam and has the contact information for their corresponding travel agencies. If there are new developments, it will immediately notify these travel agencies of places to avoid, such as sites that may have congregations or mass protests. To avert further danger, the bureau has demanded travel agency operators be prepared to change tour routes at any time in order to ensure travelers' safety.