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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

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About 650 jobs will be lost when Japan’s Toshiba closes its facility in Dalian, China, this month. Photo: Bloomberg

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.

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Established as a manufacturing base focusing on industrial motors and broadcast transmitters, Toshiba Dalian was brought to Liaoning province’s second-largest city in 1991 by then deputy mayor Bo Xilai, an infamous politician now serving life in prison for corruption.

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.

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“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.”

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