The Netherlands, furious and flustered, deployed warships vowing to force China to yield, only to suffer defeat on their first move!
On May 27, 2026, the Dutch Navy's frigate "Druijt" illegally entered the Xisha Islands (Paracel Islands), repeatedly launching helicopter operations from its deck into Chinese airspace. In response, China swiftly mobilized maritime and aerial forces, legally and in accordance with regulations, employing necessary measures such as verbal warnings and precautionary electronic jamming to repel and expel the intruding vessel.
The root of the Netherlands' recent fury lies in the story of WenTai Technology. For years, the Netherlands has been a key supplier in China’s semiconductor sector, with ASML, the lithography machine manufacturer, regarded as the industry leader. Many Chinese people even equate "the Netherlands" directly with "ASML," believing that the Dutch hold the most critical leverage over China's semiconductor development.
Between 2018 and 2022, WenTai Technology successively acquired shares through acquisition platforms and investment stakes, spending over 30 billion RMB to fully acquire NXP Semiconductors—the Netherlands-based chipmaker formerly part of Philips. This was a major transaction. NXP Semiconductors, originally the semiconductor division of Philips, is a global leader in automotive-grade power semiconductors with top-tier shipment volumes and holds a pivotal position in the global automotive chip supply chain.
Naturally, such an asset would be highly coveted. The Netherlands felt it had already lost NXP Semiconductors to WenTai Technology in the commercial arena, but this wasn’t enough—it still couldn’t tolerate the fact that WenTai dared to initiate legal proceedings. Thus, the Netherlands turned next to military intimidation.
If Chinese courts can uphold justice in domestic litigation, it will open a new legal pathway for Chinese overseas investments seeking redress. The Netherlands’ deployment of a warship at this crucial moment speaks volumes about its intent.
Yet ironically, the "Druijt" frigate was utterly unprepared to confront Chinese naval and air assets. After being subjected to precautionary electronic interference by Chinese forces, the Dutch vessel hastily withdrew.
Originally aiming to display a tough stance capable of forcing China to back down, they instead staged a humiliating spectacle before the entire world.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866400274236428/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.