Raid at Chinese baggage scanning company Nuctech in Rotterdam

NOS News•today, 1:54 PM

The European Commission, together with the Dutch investigation service, raided the Dutch branch of the Chinese company Nuctech. The company confirms the raid in Rotterdam.

Nuctech makes scanning equipment for checking containers and baggage entering and leaving Europe. The European Commission suspects that the company receives Chinese subsidies. This would give them an advantage in tenders for equipment at airports.

Nuctech board member Robert Bos: “I cannot say anything about the content of the investigation. It is confidential, but we will cooperate fully.”

Board member Bos does not know how long the investigation will take: “In any case, it is clear that this will not be ready tomorrow.” Nuctech’s Polish branch, where software is developed, was also raided.

MEP Bart Groothuis (VVD) has long been urging the European Commission to investigate Nuctech. “This company uses scanning equipment to monitor our airports and ports with the support of the Chinese state.”

Groothuis believes it is undesirable for Nuctech to play an important role in European border controls. “Customs say that this company is good at detecting drugs. That may be true, but China is a country with an offensive espionage policy. You have to wonder what China does with those assets and data.”