Taiwan tells firms to fly flag amid Myanmar rampages

Taiwan on Monday advised its companies in Myanmar to fly the island’s flag to distinguish themselves from Chinese businesses, which came under attack over the weekend amid a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Yangon.

Several Chinese-owned factories were torched in a textile-producing district of Yangon on Sunday, when Myanmar saw its deadliest day of protest against the military since the February 1 putsch.

The attack on the Chinese factories has rattled Taiwan, whose businesses have previously been mistakenly targeted during bouts of anti-Chinese sentiment in Southeast Asia. 

Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Myanmar advised companies “to label themselves as ‘Taiwanese business’ in Myanmar language, to fly our national flag and explain to local employees and nearby residents that they are Taiwanese factories to avoid confusions and misjudgement”. 

Public anger towards China has soared in Myanmar, as many in the pro-democracy movement believe China has sided with the army.