The Netherlands should work with China to solve the Nexperia issue, Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
He made the remarks when asked to comment on recent development related to the Netherlands-based semiconductor manufacturer, which is an overseas subsidiary of Chinese company Wingtech.
"The Dutch side's improper intervention in the internal affairs of Nexperia has disturbed and upset the global semiconductor industry and supply chains. Despite the reasonable demands China raised on many occasions during consultations, the Dutch government has failed to show a constructive attitude or take any constructive actions, and has escalated the global supply chain crisis. The Dutch side should bear full responsibility for this," said He.
"China hopes the Dutch side should proceed from the perspective of maintaining China-Netherlands and China-Europe economic and trade relations as well as the stability and security of industrial and supply chains, take a responsible approach and work together with China, stop interfering in the internal affairs of enterprises and find a constructive solution for the Nexperia issue," he said.
Netherlands should work with China to solve Nexperia issue: spokesman
Netherlands should work with China to solve Nexperia issue: spokesman
The torch relay for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games began on Saturday morning in Rome, marking the start of a two-month journey ahead of next year's opening ceremony.
The launch ceremony was held at the Stadio dei Marmi, an open-air arena lined with Roman-style statues next to Rome's Olympic Stadium.
At around 09:50, Giancarlo Peris, the final torchbearer of the 1960 Rome Games, brought the flame onto the launch stage. A torch was lit with the flame, and Giovanni Malago, president of the Milan-Cortina 2026 organizing committee, lit the cauldron with it.
The first torchbearer, Italy's Olympic champion Gregorio Paltrinieri, lit the relay torch from the cauldron and then ran a half-lap around the stadium to cheers from spectators, officially starting the relay.
Italian fencer Elisa Di Francisca and high jump Olympic champion Gianmarco Tamberi followed as the second and third torchbearers and completed their relay segments inside the stadium. Tamberi performed a torch kiss with the next runner, Achille Polonara, who carried the flame out of the stadium to begin the route through the city.
The relay will traverse 12,000 kilometers over 60 days across Italy, pass through more than 300 municipalities and feature celebrations in 60 cities, reach all 110 Italian provinces, and light up UNESCO sites along the route.
More than 10,000 torchbearers from all walks of life will take part in the relay, including figures from sectors of sports, culture, film and civil society.
The flame will see Christmas in Naples, New Year in Bari, and return to Cortina d'Ampezzo on January 26, 2026, the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Winter Games opening ceremony. The relay will conclude on February 6 at Milan's San Siro Stadium.
Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games' organizing committee, said the torch relay will strengthen the spirit of peace and hope for humanity.
"Our torch will pass through all cultural heritage sites. So along the way, we'll see both our nation's historical landmarks as well as natural landscapes. But what matters most are the people who embrace the torch as a symbol of peace and hope. Athletes and ordinary citizens carrying the Winter Olympics torch will carry the spirit all the way to Milan," he said.
Torch relay for Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games starts in Rome
Torch relay for Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games starts in Rome
