Dutch Prime Minister Raises Issue of Chinese Cyber Espionage Incident During Meeting with Xi Jinping
During a meeting between Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday, the issue of the Chinese government’s cyber espionage incident against the Dutch Ministry of Defense was raised face to face. This marks the first time that the Netherlands has publicly named the CCP for cyber espionage activities.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a summary of the meeting, which highlighted Xi Jinping’s emphasis on “mutual benefit and win-win” cooperation, as well as his criticism of the West’s technological blockade. Rutte’s speech focused on bilateral cooperation and coordination, but did not specifically mention the cyber espionage issue raised during the meeting.
The Chinese government’s global cyber espionage activities have recently come under scrutiny by Western countries, with the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand all issuing public condemnations. The United States and the United Kingdom have accused the CCP of conducting extensive cyber espionage operations, leading to sanctions on Chinese entities and individuals.
The Netherlands has also been at odds with the CCP over restrictions on the export of advanced chip production equipment by Dutch company ASML to China. The Dutch government requires ASML to obtain a license for exporting photolithography machines to China, citing concerns over the potential use of the technology in high-value weapons systems.
Despite these tensions, Rutte emphasized the importance of ensuring that any measures taken do not significantly impact supply chains or overall economic relations. The Dutch government remains vigilant in reviewing export licensing decisions to mitigate risks of adverse end-use.
Overall, the confrontation between the Netherlands and the CCP highlights the growing concerns over cyber espionage and technological security in an increasingly interconnected world.