Foxconn Sends Back Over 300 Chinese Engineers Amid Production Push in India

Foxconn subsidiary Yuzhan Technology has sent back around 300 Chinese engineers employed in its iPhone manufacturing facility in India. Apart from this, the Taiwanese electronics contract manufacturer has asked 60 other engineers, who were initially supposed to come to India, to stay in China, the Economic Times reported. 

“Foxconn has informed the government that they have been asked to send back all the Chinese expat employees whom Yuzhan Technology brought to India to set up the component ecosystem and factory with immediate effect,” ET reported, citing a source. “They said this is the latest incident and is one that is being targeted at them. The company has had to send back 300 engineers this time. Also, there were 60 other engineers who were to come to India but have been asked not to come now,” the source added. 

The Foxconn chairman has reportedly been asked by China to give a detailed report on its investments in India.

Foxconn is reportedly getting engineers from countries like Taiwan to their avoid any disruption in the production process. 

This comes just a month after nearly 300 Chinese engineers and technicians were asked to return to home country, Bloomberg had reported. This could be primarily because China is reportedly tightening its grip over advanced technology and skilled labour to countries like India and Vietnam.

These developments have come around a time when Foxconn is making significant investments in India as Apple is gradually shifting its production base from China. In June this year, Foxconn had received approval from Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs to invest over $2.2 billion in India and the United States. Foxconn through its subsidiary Yuzhan Technology is setting up a ₹13,180 crore display module assembly unit in Tamil Nadu. 

India-China Ties

This also comes around a time when India and China are working towards improving their strained relations. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both countries have agreed to resume direct flight connectivity between the Chinese mainland and India. The standoff between India and China, which began in 2020, impacted direct air travel between the two countries. 

“Both sides agreed to resume direct flight connectivity between Chinese mainland and India at the earliest, and finalise an updated Air Services Agreement. They also agreed on the facilitation of visas to tourists, businesses, media and other visitors in both directions,” said MEA in a statement.