A large number of private companies in Dongguan, a famous manufacturing hub in Guangdong province, have been forced to shut down, lay off staff, or suspend production because zero-Covid measures had had a severe impact on their operations, according to a report by Radio Free Asia, which said Cooper Electronics, Dongguan Krishna Toys and Dongguan Jieying Precision Hardware Products would close this month, while Dongguan Jingli Plastics and Electronics had laid off staff and would suspend work on August 31.
One business said they had suffered a big slump in orders amid rising shipping costs, while companies with foreign backers were relocating to Southeast Asia as costs continue to go up in China, the report said, which quoted a financial analyst who said the lack of financial support had opened the door for the state to take over private firms with good technology and equipment. Social media posts showed that people suspected that “local authorities may be hiring actors to make it look as if work is being done on abandoned construction sites”, the report said.
Read the full report: Radio Free Asia.
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