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The Netherlands

The latest news, analysis and opinion on The Netherlands. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Amsterdam

Head of State

King Willem-Alexander

Head of Government

Prime Minister Dick Schoof

A revolver given to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, with the president’s name engraved on it, is displayed during a press presentation in Vilnius, Lithuania. Photo: Office of the Lithuanian President via AFP

Nato

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

6 hours ago

China trade

Beijing seeks chip stability and fair market access during Dutch trade mission

8 Jul 2026 - 9:00PM

Semiconductors

China’s chip equipment sector faces earnings scrutiny amid soaring stock prices

7 Jul 2026 - 5:23PMvideocam

ASML

Dutch trade minister in China for high-stakes talks on tech war, tariff tensions

Minister is accompanied by representatives from 17 Dutch companies from sectors including logistics, agriculture and hi-tech.

7 Jul 2026 - 11:39AM

Dutch trade minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma speaks with media at The Hague, the Netherlands, April 10 2026. Photo: EPA

European Union

Opinion | EU should think twice before weaponising its market against China

Market size and coercive leverage are not the same thing and the EU remains more dependent on China than policymakers think.

6 Jul 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

The Philippines

Sara Duterte’s ally arrested ahead of her impeachment trial in Philippines

Rodante Marcoleta is likely to be the third Duterte supporter to be unable to join the opening of the vice-president’s trial.

6 Jul 2026 - 1:52PMvideocam

Germany

Merz hits back at Trump for ridiculing Germany’s defence spending drive

The German chancellor defended Berlin’s increased military spending and highlighted his commitment to Nato targets.

3 Jul 2026 - 9:43PMvideocam

German soldiers attend a ceremony at Mountain Troops Day in Mittenwald on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Hantavirus

WHO declares cruise ship-linked hantavirus outbreak over

The rodent-borne disease infected at least 12 people, killing three, and triggered a global health alert.

3 Jul 2026 - 10:13AM

Science

How a ‘Chinese heart’ could get US blood pumping despite biotech decoupling

The BrioVAD pump is the first implantable device from China to receive approval for clinical trials in America.

1 Jul 2026 - 6:00PM

China exports

Beijing asserts control over China’s offshore tech transfers with landmark law

Beijing’s ‘milestone’ mandate seen authorising retaliatory responses to trade barriers while restricting research leaks.

1 Jul 2026 - 11:00AM

A guard stands at attention outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. China has enacted a sweeping overseas investment law. Photo: TNS

E-commerce

China’s cooling, e-commerce giants see sales surge as Europe heat sizzles

Alibaba notes surge in retail and business-to-business orders, Midea reports sharp revenue rise, and Gree sales get bump in major European markets.

29 Jun 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

On AliExpress, Alibaba’s international retail site, this month’s debut of air conditioners in Germany saw local warehouse inventory for a Midea model completely wiped out by Thursday. Photo: Shutterstock

China exports

As Europe sizzles amid extreme heat, the hunt for China’s ACs remains elusive

While Europe sweats its way through torturous temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, China cannot get ACs transported over fast enough.

2 Jul 2026 - 6:55PMvideocam

Diplomacy

‘Too late’: why some Malukans say a Dutch apology isn’t enough

Dutch PM Rob Jetten apologises for the mistreatment of first-generation Malukans in Europe, prompting calls for tangible change.

28 Jun 2026 - 1:02PM

Britain

‘New normal’: European hospitals overwhelmed by heatwave

Extreme London heat led to the highest ever number of life-threatening emergency calls in a day. French hospitals were also inundated.

2 Jul 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

An elderly woman walks down a street in Bordeaux, southwestern France, shortly before the latest heatwave. Hospitals in many parts of Europe are being inundated by heat-related admissions amid soaring temperatures. Photo: AFP

SCMP Highlights

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa hike to affect Chinese: 7 highlights

From deadly school shooting in Philippines to a Chinese man jailed for breeding 300 snakes, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

26 Jun 2026 - 12:14PM

Chinese tourists pose for photographs while dressed in kimonos at the Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. Photo: AFP

China-India relations

Exclusive | US assures India over AI ‘kill switch’ as ‘Pax Silica’ expands to counter China

New Delhi says Washington pledged AI access would continue after Anthropic restrictions as the US-led initiative adds new members.

26 Jun 2026 - 4:20AMvideocam

South China Sea

China discovers rare coral reef blue hole in disputed Scarborough Shoal

Beijing has used law enforcement patrols and scientific study to boost its control over the contested South China Sea area.

25 Jun 2026 - 6:36PMvideocam

US-China tech war

Tech giant ASML joins China trade trip even amid US risk to sales

Europe’s most valuable company is seeking to boost sales in China while its home government works to fend off tougher export controls from the US.

25 Jun 2026 - 5:10PM

Part of an EUV chip-making machine produced by ASML. Photo: Reuters

United States

With no team in World Cup, Chinese fans root for Ronaldo, Messi … and a referee

Chinese team has not played in tournament for 24 years, so supporters follow world’s two most famous players and a strict mainland official.

25 Jun 2026 - 8:35PMvideocam

US-China trade war

Exclusive | Dutch semiconductor giants join delegation to China as US pushes curbs: source

The Netherlands has protested Washington’s proposed Match Act, which would further curtail its semiconductor firms’ business in China.

24 Jun 2026 - 5:32PM

Extreme weather

‘Health impacts likely’ as Europe bakes in early heatwave

France hits record-breaking June heat as soaring temperatures put the UK and other nations under red alert. Tens of millions are affected.

24 Jun 2026 - 9:28PMvideocam

A woman walks past shops during a heatwave in England’s northern city of York on Wednesday. Britain’s meteorological office has issued a very rare red heat warning - only issued once before - for Wednesday and Thursday, as temperatures could soar to 40 degrees. Photo: AFP

Celebrity style

11 most stylish World Cup bag moments so far

Forget boring duffels – World Cup footballers have been showing off their style game, from Lamine Yamal’s Chanel to Noa Lang’s Hermès.

6 Jul 2026 - 3:09PM

Jules Koundé and Kylian Mbappé are just two footballers who have had some truly stylish bag moments this World Cup. Photos: AFP

China-EU relations

EU hits ‘make-or-break moment’ as divided leaders confront ‘China shock 2.0’

EU member states poised to confront internal divisions and launch aggressive trade defences against systemic threat posed by Beijing.

18 Jun 2026 - 10:17AMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

Alibaba Cloud expands in France amid Europe’s data sovereignty push

Opening of Paris hub is a response to increased demand, says the China tech giant as it looks to roll out agentic AI services across Europe.

17 Jun 2026 - 9:30PM

The Philippines

Philippine Senate leadership shift leaves Sara Duterte exposed ahead of trial

Sherwin Gatchalian, an ally of President Marcos, beat Duterte backer Alan Peter Cayetano to the Senate president post.

17 Jun 2026 - 7:39PMvideocam

Newly elected Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian presides over a special plenary session on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

The Philippines

‘Not a single inch’: Philippines vows to block structures at Scarborough Shoal

Observers say Beijing could be using its ‘old playbook’ of deploying scientific activities to boost military presence in the South China Sea.

16 Jun 2026 - 9:33PMvideocam

A ship identified by the Philippine Coast Guard as Chinese maritime militia is seen near Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Monday. Photo: AFP

Japan

‘It’s our way’: Japan fans win hearts by cleaning up after World Cup match

Japan is appearing at its eighth straight World Cup and its fans’ cleanliness has become an international calling card.

15 Jun 2026 - 11:26AM

Taiwan

PLA says it will stay on ‘high alert’ after Dutch warship crosses Taiwan Strait

Beijing says the De Ruyter had made the transit days after an ‘illegal intrusion’ into its airspace near the disputed Paracel Islands.

6 Jun 2026 - 4:17PM

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The Netherlands

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

Beijing seeks chip stability and fair market access during Dutch trade mission

China’s chip equipment sector faces earnings scrutiny amid soaring stock prices

Dutch trade minister in China for high-stakes talks on tech war, tariff tensions

Minister is accompanied by representatives from 17 Dutch companies from sectors including logistics, agriculture and hi-tech.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | EU should think twice before weaponising its market against China

Market size and coercive leverage are not the same thing and the EU remains more dependent on China than policymakers think.

Sara Duterte’s ally arrested ahead of her impeachment trial in Philippines

Rodante Marcoleta is likely to be the third Duterte supporter to be unable to join the opening of the vice-president’s trial.

Merz hits back at Trump for ridiculing Germany’s defence spending drive

The German chancellor defended Berlin’s increased military spending and highlighted his commitment to Nato targets.

WHO declares cruise ship-linked hantavirus outbreak over

The rodent-borne disease infected at least 12 people, killing three, and triggered a global health alert.

How a ‘Chinese heart’ could get US blood pumping despite biotech decoupling

The BrioVAD pump is the first implantable device from China to receive approval for clinical trials in America.

Beijing asserts control over China’s offshore tech transfers with landmark law

Beijing’s ‘milestone’ mandate seen authorising retaliatory responses to trade barriers while restricting research leaks.

China’s cooling, e-commerce giants see sales surge as Europe heat sizzles

Alibaba notes surge in retail and business-to-business orders, Midea reports sharp revenue rise, and Gree sales get bump in major European markets.

As Europe sizzles amid extreme heat, the hunt for China’s ACs remains elusive

While Europe sweats its way through torturous temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, China cannot get ACs transported over fast enough.

‘Too late’: why some Malukans say a Dutch apology isn’t enough

Dutch PM Rob Jetten apologises for the mistreatment of first-generation Malukans in Europe, prompting calls for tangible change.

‘New normal’: European hospitals overwhelmed by heatwave

Extreme London heat led to the highest ever number of life-threatening emergency calls in a day. French hospitals were also inundated.

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa hike to affect Chinese: 7 highlights

From deadly school shooting in Philippines to a Chinese man jailed for breeding 300 snakes, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | US assures India over AI ‘kill switch’ as ‘Pax Silica’ expands to counter China

New Delhi says Washington pledged AI access would continue after Anthropic restrictions as the US-led initiative adds new members.

China discovers rare coral reef blue hole in disputed Scarborough Shoal

Beijing has used law enforcement patrols and scientific study to boost its control over the contested South China Sea area.

Tech giant ASML joins China trade trip even amid US risk to sales

Europe’s most valuable company is seeking to boost sales in China while its home government works to fend off tougher export controls from the US.

With no team in World Cup, Chinese fans root for Ronaldo, Messi … and a referee

Chinese team has not played in tournament for 24 years, so supporters follow world’s two most famous players and a strict mainland official.

Exclusive | Dutch semiconductor giants join delegation to China as US pushes curbs: source

The Netherlands has protested Washington’s proposed Match Act, which would further curtail its semiconductor firms’ business in China.

‘Health impacts likely’ as Europe bakes in early heatwave

France hits record-breaking June heat as soaring temperatures put the UK and other nations under red alert. Tens of millions are affected.

11 most stylish World Cup bag moments so far

Forget boring duffels – World Cup footballers have been showing off their style game, from Lamine Yamal’s Chanel to Noa Lang’s Hermès.

EU hits ‘make-or-break moment’ as divided leaders confront ‘China shock 2.0’

EU member states poised to confront internal divisions and launch aggressive trade defences against systemic threat posed by Beijing.

Alibaba Cloud expands in France amid Europe’s data sovereignty push

Opening of Paris hub is a response to increased demand, says the China tech giant as it looks to roll out agentic AI services across Europe.

Philippine Senate leadership shift leaves Sara Duterte exposed ahead of trial

Sherwin Gatchalian, an ally of President Marcos, beat Duterte backer Alan Peter Cayetano to the Senate president post.

‘Not a single inch’: Philippines vows to block structures at Scarborough Shoal

Observers say Beijing could be using its ‘old playbook’ of deploying scientific activities to boost military presence in the South China Sea.

‘It’s our way’: Japan fans win hearts by cleaning up after World Cup match

Japan is appearing at its eighth straight World Cup and its fans’ cleanliness has become an international calling card.

PLA says it will stay on ‘high alert’ after Dutch warship crosses Taiwan Strait

Beijing says the De Ruyter had made the transit days after an ‘illegal intrusion’ into its airspace near the disputed Paracel Islands.

Opinion | EU should think twice before weaponising its market against China

Exclusive | US assures India over AI ‘kill switch’ as ‘Pax Silica’ expands to counter China