3,000 Chinese evacuated from Vietnam after violence

Beijing, May 18 (IANS) More than 3,000 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Vietnam as of Saturday afternoon after the recent violence against foreign businesses and citizens in the country, China's foreign ministry said.

They returned to China with the assistance of Chinese Embassy to Vietnam, Xinhua quoted the foreign ministry as saying in a press release.

Two Chinese nationals were killed in the violence and more than 100 others injured.

An iron and steel complex in Ha Tinh province of Vietnam, invested by Taipei-based Formosa Plastics Group, was badly hit in the violent attacks triggered by disputes in the South China Sea.

The China 19th Metallurgical Corporation (MCC19) is a contractor for construction of the plant.

The Chinese government is arranging for chartered plane and vessel to take back the staff of MCC19, according to the foreign ministry.