Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans warned on May 31, 2025, that Chinese espionage targeting the Netherlands is escalating, particularly in the semiconductor sector. Speaking at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, he said the Netherlands' leadership in chip technology has made its intellectual property a key focus for Beijing.
A Dutch military intelligence report from April 2025 revealed that Chinese espionage operations were focused on the Netherlands' semiconductor, aerospace, and maritime industries in an effort to boost China's military capabilities.
Beijing rejects "slander" accusations
Brekelmans also told Politico that China remains the top cybersecurity threat to the Netherlands, with most malicious cyber activity traced to Chinese sources. He called on both the Netherlands and the EU to speed up efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese raw materials and supply chains, cautioning that Beijing is using economic leverage for geopolitical gain.
In a written response reported by Reuters, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Brekelmans' claims, calling them politically motivated slander disguised as concerns over "espionage" and "cyberattacks." The ministry urged relevant parties to adopt an objective and fair view of China.
Responding to accusations of stealing Dutch semiconductor technologies, the ministry firmly denied the charge, stating that China's technological advances stem from independent innovation rather than foreign intellectual property theft.
Trade friction escalates amid export restrictions
The diplomatic row comes against the backdrop of growing US-China trade friction. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to recent comments from US President Donald Trump, who accused China of breaching commitments made at the Geneva economic talks.
Lin accused the US of spreading unfounded claims and implementing "extreme suppression measures," such as semiconductor export restrictions, halting Electronic Design Automation software sales to China, and canceling visas for Chinese students.
He urged Washington to "respect the facts, stop disseminating misinformation, and correct its wrongful actions," echoing earlier remarks from China's Ministry of Commerce.
When asked about a possible upcoming call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lin said there was no information available.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
