Foreign-owned factories in Vietnam burnt by anti-China protestersวีดีโอ

The latest spat between China and Vietnam over China's placement of an oil rig near the disputed Paracel Islands has resulted in the biggest protest Vietnam has seen in years. The protesters burned on at least 15 foreign-owned factories, including a textile factory owned by a well-known Hong Kong entrepreneur.

The protest started in Vietnam's Binh Duong province, north of Ho Chi Minh City, on Monday. By Tuesday morning, large numbers of protesters on motorcycles surrounded an industrial park and started damaging any property with Chinese words written on it. The protest spread four industrial parks in Vietnam's north, affecting hundreds of Taiwan and Hong Kong companies. In all 15 factories were even set alight and numerous workers from China and Taiwan were injured.

Some 600 people were arrested by the military yesterday, with one officer killed in the fighting.

According to one Mr. Chen, a Hong Kong businessman with investments in Vietnam, the rioters didn't just target Chinese companies but also damaged property owned by Hong Kong and Taiwan businesses.

One of the damaged factories is owned by a well-known Hong Kong entrepreneur named Marjorie Yang, nicknamed the 'Cotton Princess'. Her clients include high street brands like A&F, Muji, Marks and Spencer, and Ralph Lauren. Two of biggest Hong Kong-invested enterprises in Vietnam, Texhong Textile Group and Fittec International Group, which makes printed circuit boards and electronic components, also had their property torched and looted.

Mr. Lee, a factory owner who is also Chinese expat, told us he removed any Chinese signs from his factory and tries not to speak Mandarin, using Vietnamese instead, to avoid attacks.

The Hong Kong Business Association in Vietnam said they hadn't received any requests for assistance from the Hong Kong companies in the country.

Hong Kong's Security Bureau has raised a yellow alert for outbound travel to Vietnam.

Some factories owned by Japanese and South Korean businesses were also attacked in addition to those owned by Taiwan, China and Hong Kong businesses. However, those owned by Taiwanese businesses were hit the worst of all.

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