Japan’s Toshiba closing Chinese facility once considered ‘pearl of the Dalian Development Area’
- Three decades after being brought to Liaoning province by now-disgraced former politician Bo Xilai, the Japanese electronic giant is calling it quits in Dalian
- Industry experts point to a broader exodus of foreign firms looking to diversify their supply chains away from China
Japanese electronic giant Toshiba has confirmed it will cease production at its Dalian facility by the end of September, and the liquidation process will begin next month, ending its 30-year presence as an economic force in the city.
Hundreds of jobs will be lost, as the facility employs about 650 people.
“It was becoming difficult to continue operating the base these days following the termination and transfer of production … due to changes in the business structure of Toshiba Group, such as the sale of the TV and medical-equipment businesses,” Toshiba Corporation said in a statement to the Post.
“The decision was made to dissolve and liquidate Toshiba Dalian Co. Ltd as the current production of motors and broadcast transmitters will be discontinued and there are no plans to start up new production.”
Social media lit up with comments, photos and videos from facility employees, with many bidding farewell to the company where they have worked for more than a decade.
“Toshiba, once the pearl of the Dalian Development Area, is leaving,” one employee said on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. “So many people have worked and lived here. We also got married and gave birth to kids after working for the company. It is so upsetting to see this. I hope all our Toshiba people will have a better life.”
Another said, “I have been with the company through thick and thin for 18 years – it was part of my youth, also my second home – so sad to leave.”