The Executive Yuan has established a cross-ministerial task force to coordinate the government's response to the ongoing riots in Vietnam, and its first meeting will be held this afternoon, Premier Jiang Yi-huah stated today.
The premier made these remarks after a briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on the government's response to the events in Vietnam to date and the safety of ROC (Taiwanese) citizens there. The riots are putatively directed against mainland China; however, Taiwanese factories in Vietnam have also been targeted.
Last night, President Ma Ying-jeou convened a high-level national security meeting on the situation, during which he directed the Executive Yuan to establish the task force. Vice Premier Mao Chi-kuo will serve as the convener of this group, which will receive the latest updates on the situation in Vietnam and formulate response measures.
The government has been continually receiving updates about the events in Vietnam since the night before last, Jiang stated. Yesterday, it got a firm grasp of the situation after close contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and took stock of the response measures of relevant agencies.
After the riots broke out, the government instructed the MOFA to continue using diplomatic channels to request the Vietnamese government to display public authority and restore social order.
Guaranteeing the personal safety of Taiwanese businesspeople and overseas compatriots in Vietnam is considered imperative. After the situation has calmed down, requests for compensation and better protection of rights will be made. MOFA Minister Lin Yung-lo yesterday met twice with Vietnam's representative in Taiwan, Bui Trong Van, and the premier said related negotiations must continue.
Many Taiwanese businesspeople and emigrants in Vietnam have said they would like to quickly turn to Taiwan; hence, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) yesterday urgently coordinated with airlines to add large aircrafts, and today it has demanded additional flights from Vietnam to Taiwan.
As President Ma stated yesterday, if conditions worsen and are not restrained in Vietnam, all ROC (Taiwanese) nationals in the country may be recalled to Taiwan. However, judging by developments from last night to this morning, the situation is coming under control.
The president requested all ministries to keep an eye on the latest developments, especially with respect to travel, and offer citizens assistance. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City has dispatched staff to airports to provide service, and the MOFA and MOTC are operating an emergency telephone line, of which it would like all citizens to be aware.
The cross-ministerial task force will follow up on Taiwanese businesses' investment protection and subsequent compensation for their losses. The premier directed the Ministry of Economic Affairs to stay up to date on the latest developments and to demand the Vietnamese government to provide compensation itself or ensure that rioters pay for the damage they have caused in order to safeguard Taiwanese enterprises' rights.
As many Taiwanese take trips to Vietnam, the premier asked the MOFA and MOTC to update travel warnings and alert levels for the sake of these citizens' safety. He also asked the Tourism Bureau to help handle issues such as refunds of paid tour packages or tour rescheduling.
Finally, Jiang demanded the MOFA and related agencies to provide the latest information to the public and news outlets to reassure citizens as well as protect the rights of Taiwanese businesspeople and overseas compatriots.