Recently, there has been controversy surrounding the Guangxi Hengyi New Materials Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the A-share listed company Hengyi Petrochemicals, due to the revelation of a large banner hanging at the entrance of its factory with the slogan “Upon entering the factory, please willingly relinquish all freedom.”
The incident came to light on December 2 when a reporter from the Xiaoxiang Morning News queried Guangxi Hengyi about the banner. In response, the staff advised the reporter to consult with the local police. Pressed for more details, the staff further remarked, “Don’t come to us with every little internet rumor, what does it have to do with you? It’s pointless. For any issues, go to the public security bureau and focus on more important things as a responsible individual.”
This action by Guangxi Hengyi has sparked a significant amount of controversy. Netizens have expressed their disapproval, stating that “ordinary people are already facing hardships in life, why introduce such slogans?” and questioning whether the labor bureau will investigate any potential violation of workers’ freedoms at the factory. Some commented on the poor working conditions for laborers, comparing them unfavorably even to those in Africa. Concerns were raised about a lack of respect for human rights and the impact on joining the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership). Some worried that if foreign companies withdraw, the situation could worsen.
Following the attention garnered by this incident, the staff at the Qinzhou Harbor Police Station informed the Xiaoxiang Morning News on December 2 that the banner had been removed. They stated, “It was just a matter from a few days ago. We raised it with the company, and the following day, the company removed the sign.”
When the reporter contacted the Qinzhou Harbor Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau, the staff mentioned that they could only request corrective actions from the enterprise. However, since the banner had already been taken down, there was little more they could do. The reporter then reached out to the Qinzhou City Labor Department, where a staff member acknowledged the inappropriate content of the banner and pledged to contact the company to learn more about the situation.
According to information from Tianyancha, the legal representative of Guangxi Hengyi is Shen Fei. As a subsidiary of Hengyi Petrochemicals, a listed A-share company, the company had 690 insured employees according to its 2024 annual report.
As of the first half of 2025, Guangxi Hengyi New Materials Co., Ltd. had a registered capital of 3.955 billion yuan, headquartered in Qinzhou City, Guangxi. Its main business involves operations related to chemical fiber products, with Hengyi Petrochemicals holding a 100% equity stake in the company through indirect shareholding.
As of December 2, the stock price of Hengyi Petrochemicals stood at 8.21 yuan per share, with a market value of 29.6 billion yuan.