China’s attempts to gather sensitive information from the Netherlands are becoming more aggressive, particularly targeting the semiconductor sector, according to Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
Speaking during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Brekelmans highlighted the increasing concern over safeguarding Dutch technological assets.
“The semiconductor industry, which we are technologically leading, or technology advanced, of course, to get that intellectual property – that’s interesting to China,” said Brekelmans, pointing to the global race for innovation and control over strategic technologies.
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China’s Digital Tactics Raise Alarms
According to Brekelmans, intelligence assessments continue to show that China remains the top source of cyber threats against the Netherlands. He noted that despite earlier revelations, the surveillance efforts have not diminished.
“It’s continuing. In our newest intelligence reports, our intelligence agency said that the biggest cyber threat is coming from China, and that we do see most cyber activity when it comes to us being as from China.
That was the case last year, but that’s still the case. So we only see this intensifying.”
The Dutch military intelligence service had already raised red flags in a 2024 report, pointing to efforts by Chinese operatives to infiltrate Dutch companies in the semiconductor, aerospace, and maritime sectors—industries with potential military applications.
China has not yet issued a formal response regarding the minister’s remarks. However, its foreign ministry consistently rebuffs such allegations, asserting that it condemns all types of hacking and digital intrusion.
Last year marked a turning point when Dutch intelligence officially named China as the source behind a cyber breach of a Dutch military system in 2023. This public attribution signaled a shift in how the Netherlands approaches cybersecurity transparency.
Brekelmans emphasized that economic leverage is a tool China is using not only for trade but for broader strategic influence. “Using their economic position for geopolitical purposes and also to pressure us,” he noted, underlining the wider implications for national and regional security.
To counter these risks, the Dutch government has implemented protective policies aimed at shielding vital industries. However, Brekelmans believes that broader structural changes are needed to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, particularly in essential raw materials.
“Both on the European Union level, but also on the national level, we need to make bigger steps in order to reduce those dependencies,” he stated.
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