China's cautious response to the issue caused an uproar among human rights groups. Following protests at the Indonesian embassy in Beijing in August,
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan made a direct appeal to the Indonesian government to ensure the protection of Chinese Indonesian communities.
[63] During a visit to Jakarta in November,
Chinese Premier Jiang Zemin said that "Chinese Indonesians will not only serve ... the long term stability of Indonesia, but also ... the smooth development of the relationship of friendly cooperation with neighboring countries."
[61] China claims they have also urged airlines to operate 3 more flights out of Indonesia which transported some 200 Chinese person away from Jakarta.
[64] The riots became known in China as "Black May" (黑色的五月), named after a
VCD documentary of the events released by the
China Radio and Television Publishing House in October.
[65]Compared to China's approach, the Taiwanese government took on a more active role in demanding the trial of those involved in the violence and protection for victims. It threatened to withdraw investments from the country, estimated at US$13 billion in 1998, and block the entry of Indonesian workers, whose population in Taiwan had reached 15,000. Taiwan justified the threats "based on the principles of protecting
overseas Chinese and protecting human rights". On 9 August, Minister of Investment
Hamzah Haz flew to Taiwan and apologised for the violence while promoting Indonesia as an investment destination. At the same time, a Taiwan delegation met with Wiranto, who was then the Defence Minister under Habibie, as well as several other government ministers.