Vietnamese border officials gave ‘no explanations’ for stop: DPP lawmaker Su

Taiwanese legislator Su

Taiwanese legislator Su

“It is completely normal for a legislator of a country involved in another country’s environmental damage compensation to be present. I definitely had no intention of meddling in the internal affairs of another country,” she said.

The China Post, August 5, 2016

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Su Chih-fen (蘇治芬) denied violating Vietnamese visa regulations Thursday, after she was held temporarily at No Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Monday.

Su briefed the media on the particularities surrounding her nine-hour ordeal in the Hanoi airport, saying that no Vietnamese government officials had arrived on the scene to explain why her travel had been restricted.

Su claimed that she had intended to visit a local church and not so-called anti-government elements as claimed by Vietnam.

She said she was unaware of the accusations until they were published in media reports.

Su said her temporarily confiscated passport was taken by airline employees, and that no Vietnamese officials arrived to explain what had transpired and the actions required of her.

The legislator made a visit to the Ha Tinh Steel plant, built by Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics.

Vietnamese officials said that Su violated the conditions of her tourist visa by making the visit to the plant, which has caused ongoing protesters from locals who cite it as a major source of environmental destruction.

“It is completely normal for a legislator of a country involved in another country’s environmental damage compensation to be present. I definitely had no intention of meddling in the internal affairs of another country,” she said.

She called on Formosa Plastics to respect the environment of local residents, while offering more opportunities for local employees including technical training that would allow the plant to be “for the Vietnamese.”

On the government’s move to push its economic presence in Southeast Asia through its “New Southward Policy,” Su told the press that Taiwan needed to build trust with the Vietnamese government while cultivating ties of friendship with the Vietnamese people.

In her visit, Su described Vietnamese society as “very vibrant,” and “somewhat chaotic, but full of opportunities.” She also indicated that Vietnamese locals were starting to make the distinction between mainland China and Taiwan, and that many had good impressions of Taiwan in general.

The legislator said she intended to visit Vietnam’s representative to Taiwan in order to facilitate better communications and build trust between both sides.