• IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here.

    The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.

Hong Kong issues Vietnam travel warning after mobs torch Chinese factories

Ultimate Warrior

Alfrescian
Loyal

Hong Kong issues Vietnam travel warning after mobs torch Chinese factories

China's embassy issues a warning as anti-China sentiment runs high in Vietnam

PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 14 May, 2014, 12:23pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 14 May, 2014, 11:41pm

Denise Tsang and Agencies in Hanoi

viet-protest-a_0.jpg


Sources say Vietnamese protesters set fire to about 10 Chinese-owned factories. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The Hong Kong government has issued an amber travel warning for Vietnam, after mobs of rioters torched at least 15 foreign-owned factories following a large protest by workers against China's placement of an oil rig in disputed South China Sea waters.

The warning means Hongkongers visiting the country must carefully consider their travel plans.

viet-protest-e.jpg


Several thousand Vietnamese workers protested at Chinese-owned factories, setting some of them ablaze, as anger flared at Beijing''s deployment of an oil rig in the Paracel Islands. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Hong Kong was the sixth-biggest foreign investor in Vietnam last year, with most investments in manufacturing, according to Vietnam's Ministry of Finance.

In the wake of the attacks, Yue Yuen Industrial, a Taiwanese-controlled but Hong Kong-listed company making Nike and Adidas sports shoes, suspended production in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday and sent its 100,000-strong workforce home, spokesman Jerry Shum said. "We hope to resume production ASAP," he said.

imggmd5ebi.1_ed2_page03_42891865.jpg


Several thousand Vietnamese workers protested at Chinese-owned factories, setting some of them ablaze, as anger flared at Beijing''s deployment of an oil rig in the Paracel Islands. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Yue Yuen's output from Vietnam's output accounts for one-third of its total production, with the rest coming equally from China and Indonesia. "Fortunately, we are not affected by the social unrest," Shum said.

Felix Chung Kwok-pan, a legislator for the textiles and garment constituency, said yesterday that there were hundreds of Hong Kong-owned garment and textile factories in Vietnam, and the labour-intensive garment industry was the biggest victim of the anti-Chinese riots.

viet-factory-a.jpg


Demonstrations turned into riots at an industrial park near Ho Chi Minh City.

He urged the Hong Kong government to reach agreements with south-east Asia countries to protect interests of Hong Kong investors.

A Hong Kong garment manufacturer in Ho Chi Minh who did not want to be name said his factory had so far escaped he protests unscathed, partly helped by a disguised Chinese identity.

"We are a joint venture with a local Vietnamese investor, and luckily we don't have any Chinese writing at our factory entrance," he said. "Factories with Chinese writing or names are targets of destruction."

The unrest at industrial parks close to Ho Chi Minh City is the most serious outbreak of public disorder in Vietnam in years. It points to the dangers for the government as it manages public anger at China while also protesting against Chinese actions in the South China Sea.

China's Foreign Ministry and its embassy in Hanoi issued warnings to Chinese citizens. The embassy's website said it saw no end to attacks and urged Chinese to take safety precautions and avoid unnecessary travel.

Additional reporting by Associated Press

 
Top