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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

Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, the Dutch trade minister, is interviewed in The Hague, Netherlands, on April 10. Photo: EPA

SCMP Exclusives

Exclusive | Un-sanctioned: China to welcome Dutch trade minister amid Nexperia, ASML discord

Source says Beijing has quietly dropped an old sanctioning of Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, who recently spoke of wanting to lead a Dutch trade mission to China.

28 Apr 2026 - 3:02PMvideocam

Nato

Nato considers end to annual summits to shield alliance from Trump

28 Apr 2026 - 5:51PM

US-China tech war

Tech war: US Congress rolls out ‘largest’ export control upgrade against China

24 Apr 2026 - 8:53AM

China technology

My Take | Is China just an emerging electro-state or an electro-civilisation state?

Like every advancing society in the past, it sees the future by seizing new energy sources and their associated technologies.

19 Apr 2026 - 9:42PM

An aerial drone photo taken on July 3, 2025 shows the Xianshuiwo photovoltaic power plant in the Yi-Hui-Miao Autonomous County of Weining, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. Photo: Xinhua

Luxury Hotels

Review | Rosewood Amsterdam blends luxury and heritage in the heart of the city

The historic building dates back more than 300 years, and has been restored to its former glory by the Hong Kong-based hotel group.

18 Apr 2026 - 12:00PM

US-China tech war

Chinese LED chipmaker’s purchase of Dutch firm collapses after US opposition

The failed Lumileds deal highlights the growing hurdles Chinese tech firms face in overseas acquisitions under tightening US policy.

17 Apr 2026 - 10:30PM

France

French minister seeks ban of Kanye West concert in Marseille

West, 48, has been heavily criticised for making antisemitic remarks and voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler.

14 Apr 2026 - 8:25PM

Kanye West performs at Hollywood Park Grounds in 2024, in Inglewood, California. Photo: TNS

The Philippines

Sara Duterte faces impeachment, but leads Philippine presidential survey. Why?

New polling shows the vice-president with a clear lead, even as impeachment proceedings against her are ongoing.

10 Apr 2026 - 5:27PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong halts oyster sales from French brand over possible gastroenteritis link

Centre for Food Safety orders import suspension of Josephine brand oysters after cases of suspected food poisoning in Netherlands.

9 Apr 2026 - 7:52PM

Semiconductors

Proposed US chip curbs on China risk deeper supply chain disruption

New US bill pressures Japan and the Netherlands to align on China chip curbs, with potential fallout for global supply chains.

8 Apr 2026 - 8:02PM

A proposed US bill aims to close ‘critical gaps’ in existing restrictions by requiring allied countries to match US curbs on semiconductor equipment exports to China within 150 days. Photo: AFP

Indonesia

Bali rocked by spate of murder cases – is Indonesian island more dangerous now?

The cases allegedly involving foreign suspects have spurred concerns that gang disputes have moved from other countries to the island.

2 Apr 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

Igor Komarov, a 28-year-old Ukrainian, was kidnapped and later found dead in a suspected murder in Bali in February. Photo: YouTube

France

France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

The group had posted a video on March 23 targeting Jewish interests and communities in Europe, naming Bank of America’s Paris headquarters.

2 Apr 2026 - 12:12AM

Indonesia

Indonesia to deport Scottish crime boss wanted by Spain

Steven Lyons is wanted in Spain and Britain in connection with organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering.

1 Apr 2026 - 6:33PM

China-EU relations

Europe urged to ‘learn to fight for itself’ in case US-China truce collapses

European Council on Foreign Relations calls for Brussels to be prepared and ‘not wait until the next crisis hits’.

31 Mar 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

With a trade truce in place between China and the United States, Beijing has hit pause on more rare earth restrictions. Photo: Chinatopix via AP

Crime

France studies possible Iran link after bomb attack foiled at Bank of America

A link to Iran is suspected due to similarities to ‘recent attempted attacks in Europe which a pro-Iran group claimed responsibility for’.

31 Mar 2026 - 12:47AM

Private security members work next to a police van outside Bank of America’s Paris offices on Monday. Photo: Reuters

The Philippines

How soaring fuel prices are pushing Filipino farmers to the brink

Farmer Elmer Ullani spent seven hours transporting his produce to a trading post, but says he has nothing left after paying for fuel.

8 Apr 2026 - 3:14PMvideocam

South China Sea

Will Strait of Hormuz blockade push Philippines back to China for energy talks?

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says a reset in the fractious relationship is under way but observers aren’t so sure.

30 Mar 2026 - 9:58AMvideocam

China trade

UK blocks China wind project on ‘national security’ amid tense business climate

The UK government cited security concerns but gave few details, leaving observers to question if geopolitical pressure shaped move.

26 Mar 2026 - 9:57PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries on September 18, 2025, in Aylesbury, Britain. Photo: Reuters

China-Germany relations

Germany’s Merz floats EU-China trade deal as European capitals soften on Beijing

Remarks urging ‘strategic partnerships around the world’ underscore how tensions with the US are inducing a more accommodating stance.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:31PMvideocam

US-China relations

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:09AMvideocam

Archaeology and palaeontology

Lost remains of French musketeer d’Artagnan may have been found in Dutch church

DNA testing is under way to verify ⁠the skeleton. D’Artagnan, fictionalised in Alexandre ⁠Dumas’ novel The ⁠Three Musketeers, died in 1673.

26 Mar 2026 - 1:12AM

An excavation pit opened in the floor at the Peter and Paul Church in Maastricht, Netherlands, where archaeologists believe they may have uncovered the skeletal remains of musketeer d’Artagnan. Photo: Reuters

Britain

UK police arrest 2 men over Jewish ambulances arson attack

Arrests came after police said they were investigating an online claim of responsibility by a little-known Islamist group with links to Iran.

25 Mar 2026 - 5:40PM

The burnt out remains of Hatzola ambulances at the Jewish Community Ambulance service in Golders Green, after an apparent arson attack on four ambulances on Monday. Photo: dpa

Stocks

Global buy-backs soar but mainland China, Hong Kong see drop: Capital Group

The repurchases, along with AI gains, help propel global equities to fresh peaks in 2025, asset manager says.

25 Mar 2026 - 6:19PM

Donald Trump

From critic to guest: new Dutch PM to dine with Trump on US visit

Rob Jetten faces a delicate situation with a US president he once branded a criminal who flirted openly with dictators.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:52AM