Why has Dutch government taken control of China-owned chipmaker Nexperia?

The Dutch government has intervened to take effective control of technology group Nexperia, which is owned by Chinese group Wingtech Technology.

The decision comes amid a growing rift between China and the West over the development of technology such as computer chips and semiconductors, which are essential components for the manufacture of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Here is more about what the Dutch government announced, why and what happens next.

What has the Dutch government announced?

In a statement released on Sunday, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs said it had invoked the “highly exceptional” Goods Availability Act to intervene and take control of Nexperia on September 30.

The Goods Availability Act allows the Netherlands to intervene in privately owned comp