Beijing angry over Taiwanese flag flown by firm in Vietnam
Hanoi granted permission for Taiwanese firms to fly the flag to distinguish themselves from mainland companies that were targeted by protesters
China is pressuring Vietnam to “correct the mistake” of allowing Taiwanese firms to fly the flag of the Republic of China at their factories, in its latest move to curb signs of the self-ruled island’s presence overseas.
The comments came after a Taiwanese furniture manufacturer in Vietnam began flying the flag, which Taipei claims as its national banner, at its factory gates to protect itself from anti-China protests.
“There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China,” said China’s foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Monday, adding that Beijing resolutely opposed any form of Taiwan independence separatist activities.
“We have taken up the matter with the Vietnamese side, and they have already instructed the relevant companies to correct their wrong practices.”
Anti-China protests in Vietnam have embroiled Taiwanese companies on multiple occasions, most recently in nationwide strikes and demonstrations against a proposed new special economic zones law in June, which began at a Taiwanese-owned shoe factory.