Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans warned on May 31, 2025 that Chinese espionage efforts targeting the Netherlands, particularly its semiconductor industry, are increasing.

Brekelmans noted that China is particularly interested in Dutch technological advancements in semiconductors for the potential acquisition of intellectual property.

According to Brekelmans, the Dutch military intelligence agency continues to view China as the largest cyber threat to the Netherlands.

He mentioned that recent intelligence reports indicate a rise in cyber activity linked to China, consistent with findings from the previous year.

China’s foreign ministry has not responded to requests for comment.

The Chinese government has consistently denied allegations of cyber espionage, asserting its opposition to all forms of cyberattacks.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Systematic pattern of cyber espionage targeting European semiconductor assets

The NXP breach represents a broader pattern of Chinese state-sponsored cyber operations targeting European semiconductor expertise.

Chinese hackers infiltrated Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP for over two years, stealing sensitive chip design data that could advance China’s technological capabilities 1.

ASML, the Netherlands’ crown jewel in semiconductor equipment manufacturing, faces thousands of security incidents annually with numerous successful infiltrations attributed to Chinese hackers 1.

This persistent targeting of Dutch companies aligns with intelligence assessments that China’s primary motivation is acquiring intellectual property in advanced technology sectors to accelerate its semiconductor self-sufficiency goals.

2️⃣ The Netherlands’ strategic shift from economic engagement to security-first approach

Dutch policy toward China has undergone a fundamental transformation from viewing China primarily as a business opportunity to recognizing significant security risks.

The Netherlands formally adopted a “open where possible, protect where necessary” strategy, implementing new export controls and investment screening laws specifically designed to mitigate risks from Chinese investments and espionage 2.