The Technical University of Eindhoven, near the headquarters of ASML Holding NV, is in the spotlight of the US-China chip war as Washington seeks to limit Beijing's semiconductor production capabilities.
I keep getting questions from Americans about Chinese students," said Robert-Jan Smits, President of Eindhoven University of Technology. Last year, the US Ambassador to the Netherlands asked him about the large number of Chinese students.
These comments come at a time when the Netherlands, one of the leading suppliers of machines and know-how for the production of advanced semiconductors, is increasingly coming under pressure from Washington to curb Beijing's chip manufacturing efforts.
In the intensifying battle for the global chip supply chain, the Dutch government finds itself in a dilemma between its US ally and an important export market in China. This year, under pressure from its transatlantic partner, The Hague introduced restrictions on the export of ASML's immersion DUV lithography machines, the company's second most important category of machines.
U.S. Ambassador Shefali Razdan Duggal declined to comment on her meeting with Smits in 2023.
We receive the message to be cautious with Chinese students, but who grants all sorts of visas to Chinese students for US universities? The US government," said Smits, referring to US visa numbers for Chinese students in recent years.
ASML has made significant investments in the Eindhoven University of Technology to train future employees. In May, the company committed to investing 80 million euros in training doctoral students and modernizing the university's clean room. The university operates a laboratory building with ASML lithography machines for research purposes.
Smits stated that his institution works with the government and security services to vet foreign professors and advise staff when traveling to China. More than a quarter of the students at the university are international. A university spokesman could not immediately say what percentage of the students are Chinese citizens.
Sure, here is the translated heading:
"Espionage has become a greater concern as China advances in its domestic chip technology. In 2023, ASML accused a former employee in China of stealing confidential information.
Last year, an advanced chip manufactured in China was introduced in a Huawei device, despite efforts by the USA to hinder the country's chip industry. The chip was made using ASML technology.
China 'poses the greatest threat to Dutch economic security,' stated the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) in its 2023 annual report.
Amid China's advances, U.S. officials urge the Netherlands to prevent ASML from servicing and repairing sensitive chip-making equipment acquired by Chinese customers prior to sales restrictions.
The Dutch government under former Prime Minister Mark Rutte resisted these additional steps to assess the impact of export bans on advanced chip manufacturing technology. The position of the new government is unclear, although Prime Minister Dick Schoof has signaled that he wants to approach China with caution.
In 2023, the government drafted a law to exclude Chinese students from university programs dealing with sensitive technologies such as semiconductors and defense. However, the law has not yet been passed. The new Minister of Education has sent mixed signals regarding the draft law.
We don't have the luxury of being naïve," said Minister Eppo Bruins. "At the same time, we need a nuanced approach. There are many brilliant Chinese students.
A professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology who researches semiconductor technology said it is increasingly difficult to attract Chinese students for sensitive topics.
Smits acknowledges that some restrictions already exist. "I'm not saying we're going to open the door for Chinese students," said Smits. "We are very careful about who we allow access to our top-notch sensitive technology.
We don't want our crown jewels to be stolen," he added.
