Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans has warned that Chinese espionage activity directed at the Netherlands is intensifying, with particular focus on the country’s globally significant semiconductor sector.
Speaking during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, Brekelmans stated that Chinese interest in Dutch intellectual property, especially in high-tech industries, remains persistent and poses a growing security threat.
“The semiconductor industry, which we are technologically leading, or technology advanced, of course, to get that intellectual property – that’s interesting to China,” the minister said in an interview on the margins of the regional security summit.
Brekelmans’ comments come in the context of mounting European concerns over economic security and strategic dependency on China. The Netherlands is home to ASML, a key global supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and has emerged as a central player in the wider geopolitical competition over advanced technologies.
In April 2024, the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) publicly identified China as the principal cyber threat to Dutch national security. The agency reported repeated attempts by Chinese state-backed actors to infiltrate and extract data from the Netherlands’ semiconductor, aerospace, and maritime industries – all of which are considered strategically sensitive due to their dual-use applications in both civilian and military domains.
When asked whether such espionage operations had decreased since last year’s disclosure, Brekelmans said the opposite was true. “It’s continuing,” he said. “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 Chinese foreign ministry has not responded to the latest allegations. In similar cases, Beijing has consistently denied any involvement in cyber espionage and claims to oppose all forms of hacking and cyberattacks.
Last year, the MIVD revealed that Chinese hackers had successfully accessed a Dutch military network in 2023, marking the first public attribution of such an attack to China by the Dutch government. At the time, officials said the breach demonstrated a willingness by Beijing to carry out offensive cyber operations against NATO member states.
Brekelmans reiterated that safeguarding Dutch technological infrastructure and intellectual property is becoming increasingly critical as China employs economic leverage for geopolitical purposes. “Security is becoming increasingly important for the Netherlands as China is using their economic position for geopolitical purposes and also to pressure us,” he said.
In response, the Dutch government has taken measures to tighten security around vital infrastructure and sensitive industries. Brekelmans confirmed that new protective instruments had been introduced at the national level, and that coordination with European partners is being strengthened.
Among the broader set of policy responses being considered or implemented is the effort to reduce strategic dependencies on China, particularly in relation to critical 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,” Brekelmans added.
The European Commission has in recent years urged member states to scrutinise foreign investments in strategic sectors and to diversify sources of rare earths and other materials essential for green and digital transitions. The Netherlands, as a leading technology hub within the EU, has taken a more proactive stance, aligning with wider Western efforts to ensure supply chain resilience and economic security.
Brekelmans’ remarks also reflect growing alignment between European security and industrial policy, particularly as key industries come under increased scrutiny for their exposure to espionage and potential coercion. The issue has gained prominence within NATO and among partners in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), of which the Netherlands is a member.
Earlier this month, Brekelmans attended a JEF meeting in Oslo, where defence ministers from northern European countries discussed regional security challenges, including cyber threats and strategic infrastructure protection.
While Dutch authorities have not named specific Chinese entities involved in recent cyber operations, MIVD assessments suggest that the activity is state-sponsored and strategically coordinated. Intelligence analysts have noted that technological espionage by China is often aimed at acquiring capabilities that support its military modernisation goals and broader geopolitical aspirations.
With espionage concerns continuing to rise, the Dutch government appears committed to reinforcing its cyber defences and legislative framework to shield critical industries. Brekelmans’ comments in Singapore suggest that the issue will remain high on the agenda in The Hague, Brussels, and allied capitals alike.
Read also:
EU Leaders Warn of China-Russia Axis as ‘Greatest Global Challenge’
