On June 4, 2025, the Netherlands China Association (VNC), organized an insightful company visit at Huawei in Rijswijk. The event brought together 37 participants, evenly divided between Dutch and Chinese professionals. The visit aimed to foster mutual understanding, showcase Huawei’s journey in the Netherlands, and discuss current challenges and opportunities at the intersection of technology, society, and global cooperation.
The event was opened by Chi Lau, Secretary VNC, who welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Netherlands and China in the fields of innovation and sustainable development.
Keynote Address
Gert-Jan van Eck, COO of Huawei Benelux, delivered the keynote speech, marking the 20th anniversary of Huawei’s presence in the Dutch market. He reflected on Huawei’s values and contributions, and reiterated the company’s long-term vision to operate as a trusted, innovative, and socially responsible partner.
A corporate video showcased Huawei’s global mission, structured around four key themes:
- Progress through Innovation
- Green Enabler: e.g., solar energy, EV infrastructure
- Social Contribution: cultivation of tech talent, community engagement
- Guardian of Security: emphasis on cybersecurity and trust
A compelling example of Huawei’s innovation journey in the Netherlands was shared: in 2018, Huawei brought a drone to the country for the first time. Due to regulatory constraints, it was only permitted to fly in Amsterdam’s Arena as part of a demonstration (the “Fareday” case). While drone delivery is now emerging globally, regulatory frameworks in the Netherlands still limit such deployment.
Huawei’s Global and Dutch Footprint
Huawei’s remarkable journey began in 1987 in Shenzhen, at the time a newly designated Special Economic Zone in China. Founded by Mr. Ren Zhengfei with an initial investment of just 21,000 RMB, the company focused not on urban markets already dominated by large tech players, but on building telecom infrastructure in rural China. This approach helped establish Huawei’s reputation as a reliable and responsive partner, known for its hands-on service—repairing telecom poles and equipment rapidly to build trust in underserved areas.
Mr. Ren, now 80 years old, remains actively involved in guiding the company, offering philosophical leadership centered on innovation, discipline, and reflection. He famously walked among employees with his large enamel cup, urging them to embrace a “Huawei attitude” defined by:
- Can-Do mindset
- Customer dedication (“customer crazy”)
- Self-reflection, learning from mistakes and striving for excellence
Initially dependent on Hong Kong-based suppliers, Huawei became increasingly self-reliant, allowing for greater control and flexibility in innovation. As a private company, Huawei has the strategic freedom to pursue long-term goals, often against market trends—for instance, opting to follow EU standards early on, which enabled a faster rollout of 3G technology. This decision marked a major breakthrough and established Huawei as a forward-thinking player in global telecom.
Huawei remains unlisted, with employee ownership being a core part of its governance: around 140,000 of its 220,000 employees hold company shares. This model supports deep employee engagement and allows Huawei to consistently reinvest heavily in R&D without pressure from external shareholders.
Huawei in the Netherlands
Huawei’s journey in the Netherlands began in 2004 with its involvement in the 3G network project for Telfort, now part of KPN. Since then, Huawei Netherlands has evolved into a key European hub for the company.
Notable milestones and characteristics include:
- A diverse team of over 350 employees, representing 32 nationalities
- Recognition as a top employer and leading patent holder annually
- Headquarters in the Netherlands for EU Finance, Supply Centre, Energy, and Cloud operations
- Strong emphasis on contributing to Dutch and European sustainability goals, including projects in EV ultra-fast charging, floating solar farms, and grid-independent energy solutions
- Active participation in social initiatives, such as tech talent development programs and nature conservation efforts (this last one is not really in the Netherlands, we do this in a lot of other countries)
- A clear ambition to serve as a flagship for Sino-Dutch cooperation, leveraging its position to foster deeper economic and technological ties
Huawei’s presence in the Netherlands illustrates its long-term commitment to the region—not just as a business, but as a contributor to innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration.
Sustainability and Strategic Vision
Looking forward, Huawei is focused on enabling the green transition and helping solve social challenges. Its priorities include:
- Sustainable Technologies: fast EV charging infrastructure, floating solar systems, grid-independent energy storage
- Tech Talent Development: through training programs and academic partnerships
- Nature Preservation: by aligning innovation with environmental care
- International Collaboration: advancing Sino-Dutch cooperation as a trusted partner in Europe
Huawei’s role as a technology partner in the Netherlands continues to expand, as evidenced by its current position as #3 on the EU’s DESI index for digital performance and connectivity.
Q&A Highlights
The interactive Q&A session offered deep insights into Huawei’s current positioning and responses to geopolitical and industry challenges:
- Is Huawei a Chinese or Dutch company?
Huawei is a Chinese company with open doors and minds. While its roots are in China, Huawei aims to integrate locally and contribute positively. The COO highlighted the importance of his role as a corporate diplomat, navigating perceptions in the Dutch market, where support exists but caution remains, particularly around 5G core technologies. - Does Huawei support EU independence or decoupling?
Huawei believes in balanced interdependency. “We need walls where needed, but also doors where wanted,” the COO explained, promoting selective protection alongside open cooperation. - How is Huawei responding to the global chip situation?
Being placed on the US Entity List posed significant challenges. Huawei is now actively redesigning and reengineering its products to reduce dependency on restricted components and ensure business continuity.
Experience Centre Tour
Participants toured Huawei’s Experience Centre, featuring interactive exhibits and demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies, including wearables and smart devices. The tour illustrated Huawei’s innovative capabilities and customer-centric approach in both consumer electronics and enterprise solutions.
Networking and Closing
The visit concluded with drinks and snacks, offering participants the chance to exchange insights, build new connections, and reflect on opportunities for collaboration between the Netherlands and China in the years ahead.
