Chu, from the trade union, said the case was a labor dispute but because it involved a foreigner and affected all employees at the plant, it was attracting a lot of attention.

Starnes told media who gathered outside his office window on Tuesday he was not free to leave the plant.

"I need to go back to my hotel, I need to take a shower, and I need to change my clothes," he said.

He also said that he will continue to invest in China and the jobs of workers in departments other than the plastics department were "secure".

Several suppliers of the plant also came to demand payment when they heard the factory was going to close.

A worker surnamed Wang said the company owes more than 10 million yuan to its suppliers.

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.

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