A Taiwanese official said that the country would demand compensation from Vietnam for losses incurred in the anti-China riots that set on fire several of its Vietnam-based factories.

Angry Vietnamese burned down 10 factories amid an anti-China rally thinking that those structures were Chinese but were actually Taiwanese owned. The official also said that the country’s top priority is to ensure the safety of Taiwanese businessmen who are in Vietnam.

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Foreign minister David Lin said that the Taiwanese government would aid affected businessmen to demand for just compensation following the losses they have incurred. Lin issued the statement at the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee hearing.

Vietnam and Taiwan had inked an investment protection treaty in 1993. Taiwan said this could be used as a basis for Taiwanese businessmen to demand compensation in the wake of the destruction brought about by the riots.

Lin added that Taiwan would communicate with other countries affected by the riots in Hanoi to jointly demand compensation. Lin has been fielding questions from legislators regarding the development of the Vietnam riots and the government’s response regarding the issue during the committee hearing.

Lin said that other companies from countries including South Korea, Japan and Singapore have also incurred losses during the riots.

The violent riots occured on May 13 when angry Vietnamese took to the streets to rally against China's deployment of its oil rig in a disputed area of the South China Sea. The oil rig operation was deployed near Paracel Islands, a territory administered by China but claimed by Vietnam.

The situation in Vietnam appeared to have calmed down, according to Lin, adding that most of Binh Duong province has been placed under controll by authorities. However, pockets of protests still continue in Dong Nai province.

Lin said the Taiwanese government held talks with China Airlines to organize chartered flights from Ho Chi Minh for those expatriates who want to leave Vietnam.

TagsTaiwan, David Lin, Vietnam, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee