Key Points:
- China says fixing the chip supply chain is the top priority.
- The Commerce Ministry responded to a Dutch court ruling on Friday.
- Judges ordered a probe into mismanagement at chipmaker Nexperia.
- Beijing urged the Netherlands to help resolve the corporate dispute.
China’s government issued a strong message on Friday regarding the global semiconductor industry. The Ministry of Commerce stated that restoring stability to the supply chain is now the top priority. This announcement came as a direct response to a legal ruling in the Netherlands earlier this week involving the chipmaker Nexperia.
On Wednesday, a Dutch court made a significant decision regarding the future of Nexperia BV. The judges ordered a formal investigation into mismanagement at the company. Additionally, the court upheld an earlier decision from October to suspend the former CEO, Zhang Xuezheng. Zhang is a key figure in the industry and the founder of Wingtech, the Chinese parent company that owns Nexperia.
The court justified its decision by saying the company needs stability. The legal team argued that the internal conflict was hurting business operations. However, Beijing views the situation through the lens of global trade. In a statement published on its website, the Chinese commerce ministry urged the Dutch side to “meet China halfway.”
Chinese officials want the Netherlands to create favorable conditions for the companies to solve their internal disputes. They argue that prolonged legal battles and leadership vacuums only hurt the global flow of technology. By working together, they believe both nations can protect the vital supply of computer chips that power modern electronics.
The tension highlights the difficulty of managing cross-border technology companies. Nexperia is a Dutch company, but it is owned by a Chinese firm. This structure creates complex legal and political challenges when things go wrong. The Dutch court is focused on following local laws and correcting bad management, while China is focused on keeping the factory lines moving and the supply chain intact.
For now, the investigation into Nexperia will proceed. The former CEO remains on the sidelines while investigators look into how the company was run. China hopes that despite this legal process, both sides can find a path that keeps the semiconductor market stable during a time of high demand.
