A Chinese firm under chipmaker Nexperia has openly challenged its Netherlands-based head office, accusing it of spreading misinformation to customers and further raising tensions in a dispute that could affect the stability of global industrial supply chains.
Nexperia (Shanghai), one of nine China-registered entities under the Dutch company, asserted its independent operational status in a public letter to customers on its WeChat account, published in both English and Chinese, on Thursday.
The firm said Nexperia’s head office “continued to disregard the lawful rights of Nexperia China entities and attempted to disrupt our normal operations” by circulating false information to customers.
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It also assured clients that products manufactured and delivered in China were all up to quality standards and that their interests were of “foremost priority”.
“Nexperia China entities … strictly adhere to Chinese laws, operating legally in compliance and independently,” the Shanghai unit said.
The post reflected Nexperia China’s firm position that local managers were in charge of its operations and that instructions from the Dutch head office would be ignored, according to a letter issued to employees over the weekend.
The headquarters of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Photo: AP alt=The headquarters of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Photo: AP>
The letter was published following reports that Nexperia headquarters had informed the company’s clients that it suspended Chinese employees’ access to work accounts and halted payment of salaries.
Without identifying Nexperia or another company, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said in a statement on Thursday that it has been notified by a Dutch chipmaker of possible disruptions in chip deliveries, and this could impact the global production operations of its members.
Nexperia China on Thursday said the local management and employees were “making every effort to ensure the stability of the supply chain for our valued customers”.
The unit added that it strictly conformed to Chinese laws and regulations, as well as the requirements of supervisory authorities, without mentioning China’s export control notice.
The dispute started earlier this month when Dutch authorities seized control of Nexperia’s management, citing national security concerns. They ousted Nexperia CEO Zhang Xuezheng, who is the founder of Wingtech Technology, the Dutch firm’s Chinese owner.
