“China also has legitimate rights to development, and no force can stop the pace of China’s scientific and technological progress,” state news agency Xinhua quoted Xi Jinping as saying.
He added that “China will continue to take a win-win approach [ir] will be more open to the outside world at a high level.”
In 2023, the Netherlands introduced export licensing requirements for the sale of equipment capable of producing advanced microchips. The move comes after the United States blocked China’s access to advanced chips and equipment to make them, citing security concerns, and urged its allies to follow suit.
Wednesday’s talks may also focus on NATO and its growing ties to Asia.
M. Rutte is one of the main candidates to become the next head of NATO. The alliance is criticized by China for provoking regional tensions and encroaching on the Asia-Pacific region.
China has also not condemned Moscow’s war in Ukraine, providing Russia with diplomatic protection and economic support through trade. Such a position has outraged most of Europe, which recognizes Russia as the aggressor and Ukraine as the victim.
Dutch chip manufacturing machinery supplier ASML is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of equipment for the production of cutting-edge semiconductors used in everything from mobile phones to cars.
The sector has become a major battleground in recent years as the United States and some European countries have blocked exports of high-tech chip technology to China, fearing military use.
Earlier this year, ASML announced it had been banned from exporting a “small number” of its advanced equipment to China, amid reported US pressure on the Dutch government.
The Netherlands’ largest company, ASML, recently threatened to leave the Asian giant over anti-immigration policies that could affect the company’s ability to hire talented workers, and government officials are scrambling to ensure the company doesn’t make such a move.
At a press conference, Mr. Rutte told reporters that he could not share information about what had been discussed with the Chinese regarding semiconductors.
“All I can say about our semiconductor sector and companies like ASML is that when we have to take measures, they are never directed against one country in particular,” he said.
“We always try to ensure that the impact is limited, does not affect the supply chain and therefore does not affect, say, the general economic relationship,” the Prime Minister added.
In an interview with Dutch business newspaper The FD this week, the country’s trade minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen said protecting ASML’s interests was a top priority, but acknowledged that national security came before economic interests.
