World News | China pressures Dutch minister to acquire chip-making tech blocked on security grounds

BEIJING, May 23 (AP) — China’s foreign minister on Tuesday pressed his Dutch counterpart to gain access to advanced chip-making technology blocked on security grounds, warning against what he said was unfounded fears about Beijing destroy relationship.

Political pressure has been heightened by China’s frustration with restrictions on chip technology imposed by the Netherlands, Washington and Japan at a time when Beijing is threatening to attack Taiwan and is growing tougher on other Asian neighbors.

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There is no sign that the Netherlands has changed restrictions on the supply of photolithography machines that can only be supplied by a single Dutch company that uses ultraviolet light to etch tiny circuits on next-generation processor chips.

A lack of such tools has hindered China’s efforts to develop chips for smartphones, artificial intelligence and other advanced applications.

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“With regard to the lithography machine issue, the Chinese side expresses serious concern about it,” Qin Gang told a joint news conference.

“We should work together to maintain the normal trade order and international trade rules between us, and jointly maintain the stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain.”

China’s ambassador to the Netherlands had earlier threatened possible unspecified retaliation, but ministers did not say they discussed the issue during the 2 1/2-hour meeting.

“We all have concerns about national security,” Dutch minister Wopke Hoekstra said.

“Of course, I’ve listened to him clearly, and that’s usually something we’ll continue to talk about.”

Beijing appears to be trying to improve relations with European governments and may break some countries out of alliances with Washington.

Political analysts see this as part of the motivation behind Beijing’s decision to send an envoy to discuss a possible solution to the war in Ukraine.

Analysts see little hope for peace but say the initiative gives the government of Chinese leader Xi Jinping a chance to deflect Western criticism of its friendly relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Qin called for patience as special envoy Li Hui visited European governments to discuss possible “political solutions”.

Hoekstra, who is also the Netherlands’ deputy prime minister, said he and Chin “discussed the war extensively,” but gave no details.

“Russia must stop its aggression against Ukraine, and Europe and the Netherlands will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary, as long as necessary,” Hoekstra said.

Qin has sought to downplay security concerns about Beijing.

“China is exporting opportunities, not crises,” he said.

The Chinese minister complained that what he called an “anomaly” was a fear that China was being exaggerated by an unspecified “intelligence service”.

“Then their accusations were exaggerated by the media,” Qin said. “The result is that it undermines popular support for the friendship between our two countries.” (Associated Press)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)