China’s Wingtech Loses Control of Chip Unit After Dutch Government Freezes Operations
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Wingtech in 2018 acquired Nexperia, a former division of NXP Semiconductors. Photo: VCG
Chinese tech firm Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd. has temporarily lost control of its Netherlands-based subsidiary Nexperia after the Dutch government intervened on national-security grounds and ordered a freeze on the semiconductor-maker’s operations.
In a statement Sunday, Shanghai-listed Wingtech (600745.SH) said the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs issued a ministerial order against Nexperia on Sept. 30, freezing its rights to make adjustments to assets, intellectual property, business operations and personnel for one year across all of its 30 global entities.
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- The Dutch government froze Chinese firm Wingtech's control over Nexperia on national security grounds, placing its management under an independent trustee for a year.
- Wingtech criticized the intervention as discriminatory and is considering legal and diplomatic responses; Nexperia supplies major clients and has $2 billion in annual revenue.
- The dispute intensifies amid broader US and European crackdowns on Chinese tech firms, with Wingtech added to the US trade blacklist in December 2024.
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Who’s Who
- Wingtech Technology Co.Ltd.
- Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd. (闻泰科技) is a Chinese tech firm. The Dutch government intervened on national security grounds, freezing operations at Wingtech's Netherlands-based subsidiary, Nexperia. This action effectively stripped Wingtech of its voting and governance rights over Nexperia, impacting its semiconductor-focused strategy. Wingtech acquired Nexperia in 2018 and was put on a U.S. trade blacklist in December 2024.
- Nexperia
- Nexperia is a Netherlands-based semiconductor manufacturer, originally a division of NXP Semiconductors, acquired by Chinese tech firm Wingtech Technology in 2018. It supplies standard electronic components to major customers like Bosch, Huawei, Apple, and Samsung, employs 12,500 people, and has annual revenues of approximately $2 billion. Recently, the Dutch government intervened, freezing Nexperia's operations and transferring its management due to national security concerns.
- NXP Semiconductors
- NXP Semiconductors used to own Nexperia before it was acquired by Wingtech in 2018. Nexperia, now a subsidiary of Wingtech, is a key supplier of standard electronic components, generating approximately $2 billion in annual revenue and employing 12,500 people.
- Bosch
- Bosch is a customer of Nexperia, a semiconductor-maker that was formerly a division of NXP Semiconductors. Nexperia supplies standard electronic components to various customers globally.
- Huawei
- Huawei is a customer of Nexperia, a Dutch semiconductor company. Nexperia supplies components to Huawei, alongside other major tech companies like Bosch, Apple, and Samsung.
- Apple
- According to the article, Apple is one of the customers of Nexperia. Nexperia, a key supplier of standard electronic components, provides components to Apple, along with other companies like Bosch, Huawei, and Samsung.
- Samsung
- Samsung is mentioned as a customer of Nexperia, a semiconductor company. Nexperia, formerly a division of NXP Semiconductors, supplies standard electronic components to various companies, including Samsung. The article details a dispute over Nexperia's control following an intervention by the Dutch government.
- Luxshare
- The article mentions Luxshare as the potential buyer for Wingtech's contract manufacturing business. This sale is pending due to Wingtech being placed on a U.S. trade blacklist in December 2024.
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What Happened When
- December 2024：
- Wingtech was placed on a U.S. trade blacklist.
- September 2025：
- The U.S. tightened its export rules, applying restrictions to any company 50% or more owned by a blacklisted entity.
- September 30, 2025：
- The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs issued a ministerial order against Nexperia, freezing its rights to make adjustments to assets, intellectual property, business operations, and personnel for one year across all of its 30 global entities.
- October 1, 2025：
- Nexperia’s general counsel and other executives filed an emergency petition with the Enterprise Chamber; the court temporarily suspended Wingtech founder Zhang Xuezheng as executive director and placed Wingtech's stake under a trustee.
- October 6, 2025：
- A court hearing was held regarding Nexperia and Wingtech's situation.
- October 7, 2025：
- The court issued a ruling confirming Zhang’s suspension, appointing an independent non-executive director with a casting vote, and formally transferring all but one of Nexperia’s shares to a designated administrator for management.
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