Ho Chi Minh City has instructed relevant agencies to take prompt measures for the full resumption of operation of foreign businesses, which had have their assets damaged by bad individuals during illegal protests against China’s violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Manh Ha was speaking at his May 19 working session with representatives of the Taiwan Business Association at the Tan Thuan Export-Processing Zone (EPZ), which houses many Taiwanese businesses.

He affirmed that HCM City has been sparing no effort to protect the life and assets of investors and provide them with necessary assistance to restore their operations following the incidents.

Ha added that those who excited workers to spark social disorder have been arrested and will be strictly treated under the law.

He expressed his belief that foreign investors will continue putting their trust on the Vietnamese Government and the municipal authorities.

Liau I-Hsiung, head of the Taiwan Business Association, said over the past days, Taiwanese businesses have not been affected by the disturbances and all of them have still been operating normally.

However, they have proactively worked with the EPZ management board to prepare solutions for any contingency, he said, suggesting responsible agencies launch more communication and education campaigns to raise workers’ awareness of respecting law and working regulations.

According to Vu Van Hoa, head of the HCM City Export-Processing and Industrial Zone Authority (Hepza), on the morning of May 19, almost all businesses in the city’s IZs and EPZs resumed operations, reflecting their confidence in the local authorities’ solutions.

The same day, Vice Chairman Ha visited Chinese enterprises at the Tan Thuan EPZ and the Vinh Loc IZ.

On the same day, the southern province of Binh Duong informed the press about the implementation of measures to help the affected businesses stabilise their production.

Meanwhile, the southern province of Dong Nai vowed to apply every measure to support the damaged businesses.

In the northern city of Hai Phong, local authorities made visits to foreign-invested companies, assuring them that maximum security solutions have been rolled out.-VNA