Four employees of Apple’s largest supplier Foxconn arrested in China

Four Taiwanese employees of Apple’s main supplier Foxconn have reportedly been arrested in China. A report from TaiwanNational news agency Central News Agency (CNA) quoted the Taiwanese government as claiming that these workers in Zhengzhou, home of Foxconn’s largest iPhone factory, had been detained by the local public security bureau for a “breach of trust” since January. However, the exact nature of the allegations could not be clarified.
Taiwanese agencies responsible for managing relations with China said these employees worked at a complex owned by Taiwan’s Foxconn, which makes products for Apple in Zhengzhou. The Zhengzhou factory plays a central role at Apple iPhone supply chain and was sometimes called iPhone City.

How this detention affected Foxconn

The Mainland Affairs Council, which oversees Taiwan’s policy toward China, called the allegations against the employees “bizarre,” WSJ reports. Taiwanese authorities are calling for a rapid and transparent investigation into the detention of four Foxconn employees in China, stressing that such incidents could undermine investor confidence in the country.
Foxconn has reportedly said it suffered no financial losses related to the employees’ actions. However, the arrests in Taiwan raised concerns and prompted the council to urge China to ensure the safety and legal rights of Taiwanese citizens working in the country.
This incident comes amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan, heightening growing concerns about the risks faced by foreign workers in China. In June, the Taiwanese government raised its travel alert level for China and advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel due to concerns about national security laws and arbitrary arrests.

Tensions between China and Taiwan are increasing

China recently introduced rules against pro-Taiwan independence figures, threatening the death penalty, raising concerns for Taiwanese nationals working in China. Taiwanese authorities are supporting Foxconn and the families of those detained through the Straits Exchange Foundation.
The incident follows Foxconn’s previous investigation by Chinese tax and land authorities in 2023 and coincided with company founder Terry Gou’s brief candidacy for the presidency of Taiwan. Foreign companies operating in China, such as Foxconn, are concerned about the detentions, including of a Japanese executive and an Australian journalist.
Meanwhile, despite these tensions, Chinese officials continue to express a desire to attract foreign investment. The Shanghai municipal government recently highlighted the challenges posed by Apple’s decision to shift production away from China and to other countries such as India and Vietnam.