BEIJING: President Xi Jinping on Wednesday told Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte that China’s technological progress could not be held back, as they met in Beijing for negotiations on subjects including the crucial semiconductor industry.
Dutch chip-making machine supplier ASML is one of the world’s top manufacturers of equipment to make state-of-the-art semiconductors, used in everything from cars to mobile phones.
The sector has become an important battleground in recent years, with the US and some European nations blocking exports of high-tech chip technology to China over fears of military use.
ASML said this year that it had been restricted from exporting a small number of its advanced machines to Beijing, amid reports of United States pressure on the Dutch government.
Xi told Rutte that the Chinese people also have legitimate development rights, and no one can stop the pace of Bejing’s technological and scientific progress.
China to continue to win-win approach
Xi said that Beijing will continue to pursue a win-win policy and open wider to the outside world at a high level.
He added that there is no way out for decoupling and breaking the chain and cooperation and opening-up are the only choice.
Rutte told journalists at a media conference that he could not share details of what had been discussed around semiconductors.
The PM said that what he can tell about semiconductor sector and companies like ASML is that when they have to take measures that they are never aimed at one nation specifically.
