TOPIC

/ location

The Netherlands

The latest news, analysis and opinion on The Netherlands. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Amsterdam

Head of State

King Willem-Alexander

Head of Government

Prime Minister Dick Schoof

Nvidia’s AI chips are at the centre of US efforts to tighten export controls on advanced computing technology bound for China. Photo: Nvidia

US-China relations

Beijing denounces US chip curbs as threat to global supply chains

Move to incorporate three China-focused export control measures into the NDAA marks a new escalation in the US technology rivalry.

17 Jul 2026 - 5:13AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Exclusive | Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten set to visit China next spring: sources

16 Jul 2026 - 3:01PM

US-China relations

US hardens AI stance on China as Anthropic calls for extending lead

16 Jul 2026 - 6:05AM

South China Sea

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

The statement by 14 countries is a geopolitical exercise, amplifying the flawed 2016 Hague arbitral ruling to try to drive a wedge between China and its neighbours.

16 Jul 2026 - 10:55AMvideocam

The China Coast Guard vessel Dong’an patrolling in the South China Sea on June 22. Photo: Xinhua

China exports

Feeling the heat? As China exports soar, Europe’s ports are congested

Amid heatwaves, strikes and surging import volumes, strains on the transport network are causing frequent logistics bottlenecks.

15 Jul 2026 - 4:00PM

South China Sea

How Beijing’s islands of control are reshaping the South China Sea

Ten years after the Hague’s tribunal ruling, Beijing’s island-building strategy has effectively eclipsed the 2016 decision, observers say.

15 Jul 2026 - 5:55PMvideocam

South China Sea

Beijing’s plan to solve South China Sea disputes, 10 years after Hague ruling

China should keep engaging in good-faith diplomacy and use International Organisation for Mediation to help ease tensions, analysts say.

14 Jul 2026 - 7:20PMvideocam

A China Coast Guard ship sails near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on June 18. Photo: Kyodo

Middle East

EU countries push for trade ban with Israeli settlements

EU foreign policy chief insists measures target West Bank settlements rather than Israel itself.

14 Jul 2026 - 2:12PM

Ukraine war

Ukraine allies meet in Paris to boost air defence, pressure Russia to end war

The 37-member Coalition of the Willing aims to develop ‘purely defensive’ anti-ballistic capabilities in Europe.

14 Jul 2026 - 3:40AMvideocam

The Philippines

South China Sea: 10 years after Hague ruling, how has the Philippines’ stance evolved?

Officials and analysts say Manila’s deterrence strategies can now make China ‘at least hesitate’, even though there is still much to be done.

14 Jul 2026 - 1:31PM

South China Sea

Japan’s ‘destructive potential’ in South China Sea may eclipse the US: analyst

Japan’s recent firing of an anti-ship missile was first time it had shown its ‘military muscle’ since World War II, security round table told.

13 Jul 2026 - 7:12PMvideocam

Japanese troops take part in Balikatan, the annual joint military exercises between the United States and the Philippines. Photo: Reuters

China’s private sector

In just 7 days: China’s Midea rushes 20,000 air cons to France amid heatwave

Europe’s lethal heatwave drives China’s appliance giant to sprint production and slash delivery times.

13 Jul 2026 - 6:39PM

Nato

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

10 Jul 2026 - 9:46AM

China trade

Beijing seeks chip stability and fair market access during Dutch trade mission

Wang Wentao meets Sjoerd Sjoerdsma amid ASML export limits and Nexperia debacle, with calls for secure chip supply chains and broader EU-China market access.

8 Jul 2026 - 9:00PM

The Netherlands’ trade minister, Sjoerd Sjoerdsma (left), shakes hands with China’s commerce minister, Wang Wentao, in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Ministry of Commerce

Semiconductors

China’s chip equipment sector faces earnings scrutiny amid soaring stock prices

With first-half earnings season looming, the question for the semiconductor industry is whether results can justify stock rally.

7 Jul 2026 - 5:23PMvideocam

A demonstration of robots assembling semiconductor chips. Photo: Reuters

ASML

Dutch trade minister in China for high-stakes talks on tech war, tariff tensions

Minister is accompanied by representatives from 17 Dutch companies from sectors including logistics, agriculture and hi-tech.

7 Jul 2026 - 11:39AM

European Union

Opinion | EU should think twice before weaponising its market against China

Market size and coercive leverage are not the same thing and the EU remains more dependent on China than policymakers think.

6 Jul 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

The Philippines

Sara Duterte’s ally arrested ahead of her impeachment trial in Philippines

Rodante Marcoleta is likely to be the third Duterte supporter to be unable to join the opening of the vice-president’s trial.

6 Jul 2026 - 1:52PMvideocam

Philippine Senator Rodante Marcoleta (centre) is escorted by police at the Sandiganbayan special anti-corruption court on Monday. Photo: AP

Germany

Merz hits back at Trump for ridiculing Germany’s defence spending drive

The German chancellor defended Berlin’s increased military spending and highlighted his commitment to Nato targets.

3 Jul 2026 - 9:43PMvideocam

Hantavirus

WHO declares cruise ship-linked hantavirus outbreak over

The rodent-borne disease infected at least 12 people, killing three, and triggered a global health alert.

3 Jul 2026 - 10:13AM

Science

How a ‘Chinese heart’ could get US blood pumping despite biotech decoupling

The BrioVAD pump is the first implantable device from China to receive approval for clinical trials in America.

1 Jul 2026 - 6:00PM

Heart patients can hopefully use the device for life or as a “bridge to transplant”. Photo: Shutterstock

China exports

Beijing asserts control over China’s offshore tech transfers with landmark law

Beijing’s ‘milestone’ mandate seen authorising retaliatory responses to trade barriers while restricting research leaks.

1 Jul 2026 - 11:00AM

A guard stands at attention outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. China has enacted a sweeping overseas investment law. Photo: TNS

E-commerce

China’s cooling, e-commerce giants see sales surge as Europe heat sizzles

Alibaba notes surge in retail and business-to-business orders, Midea reports sharp revenue rise, and Gree sales get bump in major European markets.

29 Jun 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

China exports

As Europe sizzles amid extreme heat, the hunt for China’s ACs remains elusive

While Europe sweats its way through torturous temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, China cannot get ACs transported over fast enough.

2 Jul 2026 - 6:55PMvideocam

Diplomacy

‘Too late’: why some Malukans say a Dutch apology isn’t enough

Dutch PM Rob Jetten apologises for the mistreatment of first-generation Malukans in Europe, prompting calls for tangible change.

28 Jun 2026 - 1:02PM

The Netherlands’ Prime Minister Rob Jetten (centre) and Mayor of Rotterdam Carola Schouten (left) unveil a national monument at the Lloydkade for Malukans in Rotterdam on June 21. Photo: AFP

Britain

‘New normal’: European hospitals overwhelmed by heatwave

Extreme London heat led to the highest ever number of life-threatening emergency calls in a day. French hospitals were also inundated.

2 Jul 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

An elderly woman walks down a street in Bordeaux, southwestern France, shortly before the latest heatwave. Hospitals in many parts of Europe are being inundated by heat-related admissions amid soaring temperatures. Photo: AFP

SCMP Highlights

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa hike to affect Chinese: 7 highlights

From deadly school shooting in Philippines to a Chinese man jailed for breeding 300 snakes, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

26 Jun 2026 - 12:14PM

China-India relations

Exclusive | US assures India over AI ‘kill switch’ as ‘Pax Silica’ expands to counter China

New Delhi says Washington pledged AI access would continue after Anthropic restrictions as the US-led initiative adds new members.

26 Jun 2026 - 4:20AMvideocam

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The Netherlands

Beijing denounces US chip curbs as threat to global supply chains

Move to incorporate three China-focused export control measures into the NDAA marks a new escalation in the US technology rivalry.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten set to visit China next spring: sources

US hardens AI stance on China as Anthropic calls for extending lead

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

The statement by 14 countries is a geopolitical exercise, amplifying the flawed 2016 Hague arbitral ruling to try to drive a wedge between China and its neighbours.

Feeling the heat? As China exports soar, Europe’s ports are congested

Amid heatwaves, strikes and surging import volumes, strains on the transport network are causing frequent logistics bottlenecks.

How Beijing’s islands of control are reshaping the South China Sea

Ten years after the Hague’s tribunal ruling, Beijing’s island-building strategy has effectively eclipsed the 2016 decision, observers say.

Beijing’s plan to solve South China Sea disputes, 10 years after Hague ruling

China should keep engaging in good-faith diplomacy and use International Organisation for Mediation to help ease tensions, analysts say.

EU countries push for trade ban with Israeli settlements

EU foreign policy chief insists measures target West Bank settlements rather than Israel itself.

Ukraine allies meet in Paris to boost air defence, pressure Russia to end war

The 37-member Coalition of the Willing aims to develop ‘purely defensive’ anti-ballistic capabilities in Europe.

South China Sea: 10 years after Hague ruling, how has the Philippines’ stance evolved?

Officials and analysts say Manila’s deterrence strategies can now make China ‘at least hesitate’, even though there is still much to be done.

Japan’s ‘destructive potential’ in South China Sea may eclipse the US: analyst

Japan’s recent firing of an anti-ship missile was first time it had shown its ‘military muscle’ since World War II, security round table told.

In just 7 days: China’s Midea rushes 20,000 air cons to France amid heatwave

Europe’s lethal heatwave drives China’s appliance giant to sprint production and slash delivery times.

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

Beijing seeks chip stability and fair market access during Dutch trade mission

Wang Wentao meets Sjoerd Sjoerdsma amid ASML export limits and Nexperia debacle, with calls for secure chip supply chains and broader EU-China market access.

China’s chip equipment sector faces earnings scrutiny amid soaring stock prices

With first-half earnings season looming, the question for the semiconductor industry is whether results can justify stock rally.

Dutch trade minister in China for high-stakes talks on tech war, tariff tensions

Minister is accompanied by representatives from 17 Dutch companies from sectors including logistics, agriculture and hi-tech.

Opinion | EU should think twice before weaponising its market against China

Market size and coercive leverage are not the same thing and the EU remains more dependent on China than policymakers think.

Sara Duterte’s ally arrested ahead of her impeachment trial in Philippines

Rodante Marcoleta is likely to be the third Duterte supporter to be unable to join the opening of the vice-president’s trial.

Merz hits back at Trump for ridiculing Germany’s defence spending drive

The German chancellor defended Berlin’s increased military spending and highlighted his commitment to Nato targets.

WHO declares cruise ship-linked hantavirus outbreak over

The rodent-borne disease infected at least 12 people, killing three, and triggered a global health alert.

How a ‘Chinese heart’ could get US blood pumping despite biotech decoupling

The BrioVAD pump is the first implantable device from China to receive approval for clinical trials in America.

Beijing asserts control over China’s offshore tech transfers with landmark law

Beijing’s ‘milestone’ mandate seen authorising retaliatory responses to trade barriers while restricting research leaks.

China’s cooling, e-commerce giants see sales surge as Europe heat sizzles

Alibaba notes surge in retail and business-to-business orders, Midea reports sharp revenue rise, and Gree sales get bump in major European markets.

As Europe sizzles amid extreme heat, the hunt for China’s ACs remains elusive

While Europe sweats its way through torturous temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, China cannot get ACs transported over fast enough.

‘Too late’: why some Malukans say a Dutch apology isn’t enough

Dutch PM Rob Jetten apologises for the mistreatment of first-generation Malukans in Europe, prompting calls for tangible change.

‘New normal’: European hospitals overwhelmed by heatwave

Extreme London heat led to the highest ever number of life-threatening emergency calls in a day. French hospitals were also inundated.

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa hike to affect Chinese: 7 highlights

From deadly school shooting in Philippines to a Chinese man jailed for breeding 300 snakes, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Exclusive | US assures India over AI ‘kill switch’ as ‘Pax Silica’ expands to counter China

New Delhi says Washington pledged AI access would continue after Anthropic restrictions as the US-led initiative adds new members.

Exclusive | Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten set to visit China next spring: sources

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU