Foxconn Technology Group, the electronics manufacturing giant, has halted recruitment at one of its key plants in Shenzhen, due to plans to further automate its production processes, and a higher-than-expected return rate of workers after Spring Festival.

Liu Kun, a spokesman for the company, which makes various kinds of Apple products including the iPhone and iPad, said it had been on a steady course for a while to replace manpower with robotic systems.

"We have canceled hiring entry-level workers after Spring Festival, a decision that is partly associated with our efforts in production automation."