For VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report.
In May, anti-China protectors in Vietnam caused damage at at least 460 factories owned by foreigners. Thousands of foreign investors fled Vietnam. They feared there would be more riots. But foreign investment has now returned to levels that existed before the protests. The flow of money returned for three main reasons. The government has promised to protect foreign investors. Also, the economy continues to grow. Finally, the costs of manufacturing remains low. Clothing, furniture and electronics factories have begun operating again in Vietnam. Twenty people died in the protests and hundreds were injured.
The protectors were angry about China's placement of an oil industry structure in waters that Vietnam claims as its territory. Long-term tensions between the two countries worsened. china and Vietnam fought a border war in 1979. Foreign investment is 17 percent of Vietnam's economy and 66 percent of its exports. It provides half of Vietnam's tax income.
Ralf Matthaes is the owner of a market advising company in Ho Chi Minh City. He says foreign investment has returned because of the government's strong actions. Foreign investors from Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan have entered Vietnam since the government ended investment restrictions in 1987. Their projects have helped support Vietnam's $155 billion economy and have lowered poverty by adding jobs. In July, China moved the oil platform following talks with Vietnam. Before the riots, China was the seventh-largest investors in Vietnam. Last year, it invested $2.3 billion into the country.
For VOA Learning English, I'm Laurel Bowman
