Chinese ministry condemns violence in Vietnam  

在越企业遭打砸抢 高虎城将约见越南贸工部长交涉

商务部今日召开例行发布会，通报今年1-4月我国商务运行情况。商务部新闻发言人沈丹阳在会上表示，近日在越南发生中方企业和人员遭到不法分子打砸抢，商务部部长高虎城今日将专门约见越南贸工部长交涉此事。商务部已经要求中资企业强化安保，相关企业已启动应急预案。 [查看全文]

 A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Friday strongly condemned violence in Vietnam that has caused huge casualties and heavy losses among Chinese nationals and enterprises.

"China demands Vietnam take effective measures immediately to stop all violence against Chinese nationals and enterprises," Shen Danyang, the MOC spokesman, said at a press conference.

"The safety of Chinese nationals and the property of Chinese companies must be protected by the Vietnamese side," Shen said.

Shen's latest remarks came after media reports said at least two Chinese workers were killed and over 100 others injured in escalating riots and protests in Vietnam.

Hundreds of Chinese factories operating in Vietnam were either destroyed by rioters or forced to close.

The riots erupted over tensions in the South China Sea.

The MOC feared casualties may climb as the losses are still being counted.

The MOC wants to see better treatment for the injured, immediate investigation into the violence, harsh punishment of perpetrators and compensation payments.

"Vietnam must ensure such incidents never happen again and take concrete action to repair economic and trade cooperation," Shen said

He added the Chinese commerce minister Gao Hucheng will summon his Vietnamese counterpart and lodge solemn representations at an upcoming APEC meeting in Qingdao city, east China.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed the condemnation in an phone call with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh on Thursday evening.

Also Thursday, China sent a working group, led by Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao, to Vietnam to deal with the aftermath of the violence.