File photo: VCG

 
China always opposes overstretching the concept of national security and taking discriminatory moves that target companies from certain countries, and urges relevant countries to uphold market principles and refrain from politicizing trade issues, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

Lin made the remarks when asked to comment on the Dutch government's restrictive measures against Netherlands-headquartered Nexperia, a subsidiary of Chinese tech firm Wingtech Technology.

Relevant countries should uphold market principles and refrain from politicizing trade issues, Lin said, adding that China is firmly resolved in defending its own legitimate rights and interests.

In a rare move, the Dutch government has taken control of Nexperia, according to media reports.

On Sunday evening, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs revealed that it had invoked the "Goods Availability Act" on Nexperia in September in order "to prevent a situation in which the goods produced by Nexperia (finished and semi-finished products) would become unavailable in an emergency."

Wingtech Technology, in a Sunday statement published on its WeChat account, stated that the Dutch government's global operational freeze on Nexperia, based on unsubstantiated "national security" grounds, constitutes a case of overreaching driven by geopolitical bias rather than a factual risk assessment.

As a long-term strategic shareholder, Wingtech Technology will not yield to external political pressure, the company said. "We have initiated all available legal and diplomatic channels, requesting that the Dutch government immediately revoke the erroneous directive, cease systemic discrimination against Chinese enterprises, and uphold openness and cooperation of the global semiconductor industry chain."

"The semiconductor industry is a product of globalization, and its future depends on collaboration, not confrontation," the company said, noting that governments should provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises, rather than weaponizing technological cooperation.

The company stated that since Wingtech Technology acquired Nexperia, it has always adhered to the laws and regulations of various countries, operating with transparency and standardized governance.

It added that for a long time, the company has continuously contributed value to the European semiconductor industry chain, with research and development and manufacturing centers in the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, and other locations, employing thousands of staff.

Over the past five years, Nexperia has contributed 130 million euros ($150.45 million) in corporate income tax to the Netherlands, making significant contributions to the local economy, the company noted.

Global Times