JAKARTA - The de facto Taiwanese embassy in Myanmar has asked Taiwanese companies operating in Myanmar to fly the Taiwan national flag or 'Blue Sky, White Sun, Wholly Red Earth'. The goal is to provide a difference in identity with China.
This was done after two factories in the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone, Yangon, caught fire in clashes between the Myanmar military regime and anti-coup protesters on February 1 on Sunday, March 14 yesterday.
Taiwan is known to be home to a large Sino-Burmese population, has strong cultural and business ties.
"Only one Taiwanese company was caught in the violence, with 10 of its nationals trapped in the place even though they are safe", the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Reuters.
The Taiwan representative office moved quickly, after receiving reports of attacks on Chinese companies, following mounting anti-Chinese sentiment. Taiwanese companies are required to make a notification sign in Burmese that reads 'Taiwan company' while flying the Taiwan national flag.
"Explain to local workers and neighbors that they are Taiwanese factories, to avoid outsiders from becoming confused and misjudged", the representative office said in a statement.
Previously, two garment factories owned by Chinese and Taiwanese investors were in the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone, Yangon, when the military regime's security forces carried out repressive measures against Myanmar military anti-coup protesters in the area on Sunday, March 14.
An industrial estate official said the two factories were Global Fashion, a garment factory-backed by Chinese investors, and Tsang Yih, one of Myanmar's largest foreign-owned shoe factories operated by a Taiwanese investor.
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Tsang Yih is a foreign-owned company owned by two Taiwanese investors. The company registered in 2014 and employed more than 9.000 workers last year, according to a company report.
The anti-Chinese sentiment is increasing, because the Bamboo Curtain country is a close ally of Myanmar, not explicitly condemning the events in Myanmar as a coup. Last week, China asked the Myanmar military regime to protect its oil and gas pipeline project, in a secret meeting that was leaked to the public.
Regarding the Myanmar Coup. VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news surrounding the Myanmar military coup by tapping on this link.
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