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/ location

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

Smoke from a massive wildfire in Belgium’s Hohes Venn region is seen from Germany, on Sunday. Photo: dpa

European Union

Belgium battles worst wildfire on record, EU allies come to aid

Helicopters from the Czech Republic and Swedish water-bombing aircraft were due to arrive under the European Union civil protection mechanism.

16 Aug 2026 - 6:09PM

Asia travel

This week in PostMag: let your mind wander with our autumn travel edition

16 Aug 2026 - 8:00AM

Singapore

Meet the Singaporean DJ taking local sounds to the global stage

15 Aug 2026 - 11:07AM

Crime

1 dead, 6 wounded in Rotterdam port explosion

Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and comprises oil refineries, liquefied natural gas terminals and multiple petrochemical ‌facilities.

13 Aug 2026 - 11:12PM

A view of a charred wall of a building at Rotterdam port after an explosion on Thursday, in this still image obtained from a video. Photo: via Reuters

China’s C919 passenger plane

‘Very smooth’: what one traveller saw on C919’s milestone international flight

Comac jet’s flight to Mongolian capital on par with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, says passenger who hopes to see more C919 destinations.

13 Aug 2026 - 9:14PMvideocam

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong’s IOMed ‘ready to tackle state disputes, serve as Asian legal hub’

IOMed head Teresa Cheng says six countries have nominated 26 mediators to handle such disputes, as Hong Kong seeks Asia legal capital role.

11 Aug 2026 - 12:27PM

Social media

Chinese vloggers are taking to YouTube to ‘set the record straight’

Videos documenting daily life in big cities, small towns and villages are aimed at overseas viewers and emphasise authentic perspectives.

9 Aug 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Sasa Xu is one of thousands of Chinese telling their stories for a foreign audience. Photo: Handout

Semiconductors

Beyond lithography: Chinese chip toolmaker achieves wafer polishing breakthrough

While global attention focuses on the most advanced bottlenecks, domestic equipment makers are quietly closing the gap in other essential technologies.

7 Aug 2026 - 6:30PM

China exports

Why US, EU curbs on Chinese power inverters risk upending green supply chains

As Western governments move to end dependence on world’s top producer, analysts warn rapid decoupling could drive up costs and derail projects.

2 Aug 2026 - 5:00PM

Hong Kong society

Going Dutch: why taste of Hong Kong-style milk tea is Black and White

Black and White brand of full-cream evaporated milk was created for the Hong Kong market in the 1940s and has been a favourite ever since.

1 Aug 2026 - 4:45PMvideocam

"Our vision is to position Black and White as the ‘true taste of Hong Kong experience’," says Jayden Looi of FrieslandCampina Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee

China exports

China’s surgical robots break into Vietnam as Beijing targets US dominance

Shipments to Asean have surged 246% this year as cross-border healthcare platforms pave way for manufacturers to challenge US giants like Intuitive Surgical.

31 Jul 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

A surgical robot during the 2025 China Medical Equipment Conference & Medical Equipment Exhibition held at Chongqing International Expo Centre in southwest China’s Chongqing, taken on March 14, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

China stock market

CXMT shock: China’s alternatives punch Micron, SK Hynix shares

Advances in chips, chipmaking equipment and AI models disrupt stocks by threatening the edges of existing leaders, investors say.

29 Jul 2026 - 7:00PM

China-Africa relations

Spurned by the US, African students turn to China for a university degree

Chinese universities emerge as a promising option as they rise up the rankings and Washington tightens visa rules.

29 Jul 2026 - 3:38PMvideocam

Indonesia

Bali run club revives concerns of ‘micro-discrimination’ against Indonesians

The alleged exclusion of Indonesians from the running group has resurfaced claims that racism and colourism are well and alive in Bali.

28 Jul 2026 - 8:07PMvideocam

Participants during one of Entourage’s activities in Bali, Indonesia. Photo: Handout

Semiconductors

China’s DUV progress not the biggest threat to ASML, analysts say

Dutch leader’s dominance in chipmaking gear not at risk amid China’s lithography push – unless the US steps in.

28 Jul 2026 - 6:30PM

Semiconductors

China chip dreams still face long road even after breakthrough

The reported start of production of chipmaking equipment in China has shaken up the global industry, even with efforts still trailing far behind leaders.

28 Jul 2026 - 5:02PM

Hong Kong society

Infant formula maker insists product safe after recalls in Hong Kong and Macau

Batch of Frisolac Prestige Stage 1 (800g) subject to recall after authorities in Macau discover samples have lead levels above safety limit.

26 Jul 2026 - 9:21PM

China-EU relations

China adds 14 EU entities to export control list, hitting back at sanctions

Ministry of Commerce action follows a new round of EU sanctions on Russia that affected 14 firms from mainland China and Hong Kong.

24 Jul 2026 - 7:40PMvideocam

The flags of the European Union and China in Berlin. Photo: Photothek via Getty Images

Fifa World Cup 2026

Meet Maduka Okoye’s baby mama Jelicia Westhoff, who’s accused him of cheating

The Dutch model, who shares a son with the Nigerian goalie voted the world’s sexiest footballer, went on a rant after he was spotted with rapper Cardi B.

22 Jul 2026 - 6:00PM

US-China tech war

The View | China cannot win the chip war through self-reliance alone

Beyond GPU supremacy, America’s greatest asset lies in its leverage over its allies’ critical technologies and capacities.

21 Jul 2026 - 5:31PMvideocam

South China Sea

Chinese and Philippine maritime forces clash at Second Thomas Shoal

Personnel on Chinese speedboat and Philippine dinghy come to blows in countdown to Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila.

20 Jul 2026 - 11:49PMvideocam

The Chinese coastguard vessel (front) and a Philippine dinghy square off near Second Thomas Shoal. Photo: X.com/SCS_PI

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli PM’s office slams New York mayor over Netanyahu arrest remarks

Zohran Mamdani said he was asking lawyers about the mayor’s authority to direct police to detain a foreign leader, referring to Israel’s PM.

20 Jul 2026 - 2:24AM

Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS

European Union

France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

France is the only nuclear power in the 27-member EU, while Germany plans to build Europe’s strongest conventional military by 2039.

19 Jul 2026 - 6:32PM

US-China relations

Beijing denounces US chip curbs as threat to global supply chains

Move to incorporate three China-focused export control measures into the NDAA marks a new escalation in the US technology rivalry.

17 Jul 2026 - 5:13AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Exclusive | Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten set to visit China next spring: sources

Food security and trade ministers have already visited this year, with another, by Economy Minister Heleen Herbert, under consideration.

16 Jul 2026 - 3:01PM

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten disembarks from a plane at Esenboga Airport ahead of the Nato Heads of State and Government Summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7. Photo: EPA

US-China relations

US hardens AI stance on China as Anthropic calls for extending lead

AI company urges tighter export controls, saying Chinese rivals are rapidly closing the gap through unauthorised model distillation.

16 Jul 2026 - 6:05AM

Artificial intelligence has become a central battleground in US-China technological competition. Photo: Shutterstock

South China Sea

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

The statement by 14 countries is a geopolitical exercise, amplifying the flawed 2016 Hague arbitral ruling to try to drive a wedge between China and its neighbours.

16 Jul 2026 - 10:55AMvideocam

109

China exports

Feeling the heat? As China exports soar, Europe’s ports are congested

Amid heatwaves, strikes and surging import volumes, strains on the transport network are causing frequent logistics bottlenecks.

15 Jul 2026 - 4:00PM

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The Netherlands

Belgium battles worst wildfire on record, EU allies come to aid

Helicopters from the Czech Republic and Swedish water-bombing aircraft were due to arrive under the European Union civil protection mechanism.

This week in PostMag: let your mind wander with our autumn travel edition

Meet the Singaporean DJ taking local sounds to the global stage

1 dead, 6 wounded in Rotterdam port explosion

Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and comprises oil refineries, liquefied natural gas terminals and multiple petrochemical ‌facilities.

‘Very smooth’: what one traveller saw on C919’s milestone international flight

Comac jet’s flight to Mongolian capital on par with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, says passenger who hopes to see more C919 destinations.

Hong Kong’s IOMed ‘ready to tackle state disputes, serve as Asian legal hub’

IOMed head Teresa Cheng says six countries have nominated 26 mediators to handle such disputes, as Hong Kong seeks Asia legal capital role.

Chinese vloggers are taking to YouTube to ‘set the record straight’

Videos documenting daily life in big cities, small towns and villages are aimed at overseas viewers and emphasise authentic perspectives.

Beyond lithography: Chinese chip toolmaker achieves wafer polishing breakthrough

While global attention focuses on the most advanced bottlenecks, domestic equipment makers are quietly closing the gap in other essential technologies.

Why US, EU curbs on Chinese power inverters risk upending green supply chains

As Western governments move to end dependence on world’s top producer, analysts warn rapid decoupling could drive up costs and derail projects.

Going Dutch: why taste of Hong Kong-style milk tea is Black and White

Black and White brand of full-cream evaporated milk was created for the Hong Kong market in the 1940s and has been a favourite ever since.

China’s surgical robots break into Vietnam as Beijing targets US dominance

Shipments to Asean have surged 246% this year as cross-border healthcare platforms pave way for manufacturers to challenge US giants like Intuitive Surgical.

CXMT shock: China’s alternatives punch Micron, SK Hynix shares

Advances in chips, chipmaking equipment and AI models disrupt stocks by threatening the edges of existing leaders, investors say.

Spurned by the US, African students turn to China for a university degree

Chinese universities emerge as a promising option as they rise up the rankings and Washington tightens visa rules.

Bali run club revives concerns of ‘micro-discrimination’ against Indonesians

The alleged exclusion of Indonesians from the running group has resurfaced claims that racism and colourism are well and alive in Bali.

China’s DUV progress not the biggest threat to ASML, analysts say

Dutch leader’s dominance in chipmaking gear not at risk amid China’s lithography push – unless the US steps in.

China chip dreams still face long road even after breakthrough

The reported start of production of chipmaking equipment in China has shaken up the global industry, even with efforts still trailing far behind leaders.

Infant formula maker insists product safe after recalls in Hong Kong and Macau

Batch of Frisolac Prestige Stage 1 (800g) subject to recall after authorities in Macau discover samples have lead levels above safety limit.

China adds 14 EU entities to export control list, hitting back at sanctions

Ministry of Commerce action follows a new round of EU sanctions on Russia that affected 14 firms from mainland China and Hong Kong.

Meet Maduka Okoye’s baby mama Jelicia Westhoff, who’s accused him of cheating

The Dutch model, who shares a son with the Nigerian goalie voted the world’s sexiest footballer, went on a rant after he was spotted with rapper Cardi B.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}The View | China cannot win the chip war through self-reliance alone

Beyond GPU supremacy, America’s greatest asset lies in its leverage over its allies’ critical technologies and capacities.

Chinese and Philippine maritime forces clash at Second Thomas Shoal

Personnel on Chinese speedboat and Philippine dinghy come to blows in countdown to Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila.

Israeli PM’s office slams New York mayor over Netanyahu arrest remarks

Zohran Mamdani said he was asking lawyers about the mayor’s authority to direct police to detain a foreign leader, referring to Israel’s PM.

France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

France is the only nuclear power in the 27-member EU, while Germany plans to build Europe’s strongest conventional military by 2039.

Beijing denounces US chip curbs as threat to global supply chains

Move to incorporate three China-focused export control measures into the NDAA marks a new escalation in the US technology rivalry.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten set to visit China next spring: sources

Food security and trade ministers have already visited this year, with another, by Economy Minister Heleen Herbert, under consideration.

US hardens AI stance on China as Anthropic calls for extending lead

AI company urges tighter export controls, saying Chinese rivals are rapidly closing the gap through unauthorised model distillation.

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

The statement by 14 countries is a geopolitical exercise, amplifying the flawed 2016 Hague arbitral ruling to try to drive a wedge between China and its neighbours.

Feeling the heat? As China exports soar, Europe’s ports are congested

Amid heatwaves, strikes and surging import volumes, strains on the transport network are causing frequent logistics bottlenecks.

The View | China cannot win the chip war through self-reliance alone

Exclusive | Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten set to visit China next spring: sources