China hopes Netherlands will ensure 'normal' lithography machine trade

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FILE PHOTO: Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao attends a press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress (NPC), in Beijing, China March 6, 2024. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao attends a press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress (NPC), in Beijing, China March 6, 2024. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

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BEIJING - China hopes the Netherlands would support companies in fulfilling their contractual obligations and ensure "normal" trade of lithography machines, said Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

In a meeting with Dutch Trade Minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen on Wednesday, Wang added that China regarded the Netherlands as a "trustworthy" economic and trade partner.

Both men held in-depth talks on issues including the export of lithography machines to China and cooperation in the semiconductor industry, according to a statement from the Chinese commerce ministry on Thursday.

Earlier this year, the Dutch government began denying licences for Dutch firm ASML to export advanced "DUV" tool lines to China, joining a U.S. effort to curb chip exports to the world's second-biggest economy.

The Dutch trade minister was part of Prime Minister Mark Rutte's delegation visiting Beijing earlier this week. REUTERS

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