Xi Jinping warns against breaking ties. “No force can stop China’s progress”

“The Chinese also have the right to lawful development and no force can stop its pace, as well as China’s scientific and technological progress” – this is what Xi Jinping allegedly said after his meeting with Mark Rutte, according to CCTV. The Dutch Prime Minister, who came to Beijing for these talks, was more economical in his words. The topic is crucial both for China and the Netherlands, as well as for the whole world, and at the same time quite sensitive, although the Chinese president did not mention it directly.

China defends its interests firmly. Xi Jinping warns

These are semiconductors that are commonly used in modern technology devices, including everyday ones such as smartphones and cars. The Dutch company ASML is a world leader in the production of equipment for the production of advanced chips. Last year, the Netherlands imposed licensing requirements on the sale of such machines, after the United States made a similar (only stricter) move. Washington explicitly wants to impede China’s access to advanced chips and equipment for their production, citing security issues as the reason (such as the use of semiconductors in military technologies). As noted by the Associated Press, last year China became the second largest ASML market, generating as much as 29 percent. company’s revenues – the Chinese stockpiled equipment before the new licensing rules came into force.

Xi Jinping reportedly told Mark Rutte that “China will continue to pursue a win-win approach (and) open up more to the outside world.” He added that “there is no way to ‘separate and break the chain’, and the only way out is openness and cooperation” (quote from AFP). The quoted words of the Chinese leader speak precisely about the so-called decoupling – it is about separating from China and reducing economic dependence on it. This idea has been present in expert reports and politicians’ statements for several years. Xi Jinping thinks this is impossible.

War in Ukraine during the Beijing talks

During the press conference, the Dutch Prime Minister did not want to reveal what exactly emerged during the conversation with Xi about semiconductors. “What I can say about our semiconductor sector and companies like ASML is that when we need to take action, it is never targeted specifically at one country. We always try to make sure that the impact is limited and does not impact on the supply chain and therefore will not affect overall economic relations,” he said. He added that the most important topic for him during talks with Chinese leaders (he also met with Prime Minister Li Qiang) was the war in Ukraine, which is a “direct security threat” to his country. He assured that he had asked Beijing to exert influence on Russia.