BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Sunday expressed dissatisfaction with the Netherlands' decision to further expand the scope of export controls on lithography machines, which builds on the semiconductor export control measures implemented in 2023.

An MOC spokesperson made the remarks in response to a relevant media query.

Recently, China and the Netherlands have conducted multi-level and multi-frequency communication and consultation on the issue of semiconductor export controls, the spokesperson said.

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In recent years, to maintain its global hegemony, the United States has been constantly generalizing the concept of national security and coercing certain countries to tighten export control measures on semiconductors and equipment, which has seriously threatened the stability of the global semiconductor industrial and supply chains and undermined the legitimate rights and interests of relevant countries and enterprises, the spokesperson said. "China firmly opposes this."

The spokesperson noted that the Dutch side should keep in mind international economic and trade rules and the overall situation of Sino-Dutch economic and trade cooperation.

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They should respect market principles and the spirit of contract, and avoid relevant measures that hinder the normal cooperation and development of the semiconductor industry of the two countries, the MOC spokesperson added.

China urges the Netherlands not to abuse export control measures on semiconductor products and to earnestly safeguard the common interests of Chinese and Dutch enterprises while maintaining the stability of the global semiconductor industry and supply chains, the spokesperson said.