Wednesday, October 23

China presses Dutch minister for entry to chipmaking tech blocked on safety grounds

BEIJING (AP) — China’s overseas minister pressed his Dutch counterpart Tuesday for entry to superior chipmaking expertise that has been blocked on safety grounds and warned towards permitting what he mentioned had been unfounded fears of Beijing to spoil relations.

Chinese frustration with curbs imposed by the Netherlands, Washington and Japan on chip expertise has added to political strains at a time when Beijing is threatening to assault Taiwan and is more and more assertive towards different Asian neighbors.

There was no indication the Netherlands modified its restriction on the provision of lithography machines out there solely from a single Dutch firm that use ultraviolet mild to etch tiny circuits on next-generation processor chips. Lack of that software is holding again Chinese efforts to develop chips for smartphones, synthetic intelligence and different superior functions.

“As for the issue of lithography machines, China has serious concerns about this,” Qin Gang mentioned at a joint information convention. “We should work together to jointly protect the normal trade order between us, the international trade rules and to jointly keep the global industrial and supply chains stable.”

The Chinese ambassador to the Netherlands earlier threatened potential unspecified retaliation, however the ministers gave no indication they mentioned that of their 2 1/2-hour assembly.

“We have shared our national security concerns,” mentioned the Dutch minister, Wopke Hoekstra. “I’ve, of course, clearly listened to his, and this is typically an issue where we will continue our dialogue.”

Beijing seems to be making an attempt to enhance relations with European governments and presumably break up some away from alliances with Washington.

Political analysts have prompt that’s a part of the motivation behind Beijing’s resolution to ship an envoy to debate a potential settlement of the Ukraine warfare. Analysts see little hope of peace however say the initiative offers Chinese chief Xi Jinping’s authorities an opportunity to deflect Western criticism of its pleasant relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Qin appealed for endurance whereas the envoy, Li Hui, visits European governments to debate a potential “political settlement.”

Hoekstra, who is also the Dutch deputy prime minister, mentioned he and Qin “talked extensively about the war” however gave no particulars.

“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine must stop and Europe and Netherlands will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes and whatever necessary,” Hoekstra mentioned.

Qin tried to downplay safety fears about Beijing.

“What China exports is opportunity, not crisis,” he mentioned.

The Chinese minister complained concerning the “abnormal phenomenon” of what he mentioned was fears about China being exaggerated by unspecified “intelligence departments.”

“Then their accusations are being exaggerated by the media,” Qin mentioned. “The result is that it erodes the popular support for the friendship between our two countries.”

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