Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized ¡°technological barriers¡± during Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte¡¯s visit to Beijing as the US pushes to tighten controls on ASML Holding NV¡¯s chipmaking-equipment sales to the Asian country.
¡°Artificially creating technological barriers and cutting off industrial and supply chains will only lead to division and confrontation,¡± Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV. ¡°The Chinese people also have the right to legitimate development, and no forces can hinder the pace of China¡¯s technological progress.¡±
The trip comes as the Netherlands, one of the world¡¯s top sources of machinery and expertise needed to make advanced semiconductors, is facing increasing pressure from Washington to forge a global blockade to stifle Beijing¡¯s rise in chipmaking. ASML is the country¡¯s and Europe¡¯s most valuable tech company, and China is one of its biggest customers.
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