A dispute involving an injured worker and a Taiwan-invested factory in Dalang town in Dongguan, Guangdong province, has touched off a deadly incident that left two factory managers dead, and a third seriously wounded. The victims of the attack were all from Taiwan.

The attack took place at about 12:20 pm on Monday, according to Xinhua. A 26-year-old Guizhou native, Liu Hanhuang, was later arrested by police. Police say Liu lost his right hand while working at the factory in 2008.

Authorities say Liu had remained at the factory since the accident because he was unable to reach a settlement agreement with factory management.

On Monday morning, Liu was seen meeting 33-year-old Lin Yu-ten, the general manager, 50-year-old Shao Cheng-ji, a deputy manager, and 40-year-old Lai Duan-rui, a manager overseeing production. At the conclusion of a morning session the men agreed to resume negotiations on a settlement in the afternoon.

Police say Liu confronted Shao at the factory gate as the latter went out around noon. There was a quarrel. Lin and Lai came to investigate, police said.

Police said Liu suddenly pulled a knife and attacked the three managers. Liu fled the scene but was caught in the ensuing search, police said.

Shao and Lin both suffered neck wounds and died despite emergency treatment. Lai remains in hospital undergoing treatment. Shao, Lin and Lai were residents of Taichung, Taiwan.

Chen Rong-yuan, who heads the Straits Exchange Foundation's (SEF) economic and commercial service, told CNA yesterday that SEF has contacted its mainland counterpart the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait for assistance.

Both Shao's and Lai's families live in Dongguan. Arrangements have been made for Lin's wife to travel to the mainland today, Chen said.

China Daily

(HK Edition 06/17/2009 page2)