(The Epoch Times)—Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans warned Saturday that Chinese cyber espionage targeting the Netherlands is intensifying, with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) particularly focused on stealing advanced semiconductor technology.
“The semiconductor industry, which we are technologically leading—or technology advanced, of course—to get that intellectual property, that’s interesting to China,” Brekelmans told Reuters on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore on May 30.
Chinese spies have set their sights on Dutch semiconductor, aerospace, and maritime industries in an effort to advance China’s military power, according to the Dutch military intelligence agency’s latest annual report, released on April 22. It highlights a “whole-of-society” approach by the CCP that blurs the lines between legitimate academic exchange and covert technology transfer.
“In the Netherlands, we have seen Chinese activities in the area of unwanted knowledge transfer of high-quality Dutch technology such as semiconductors,” the report states. These transfers occur through both legal channels—like investments and research partnerships—and illegal ones, including cyber espionage and export control evasion.
Brekelmans said that the threat has not abated.
“It’s continuing. In our newest intelligence reports, our intelligence agency said that the biggest cyber threat is coming from China, and that we do see most cyber activity when it comes to us being as from China. That was the case last year, but that’s still the case. So we only see this intensifying.”
The Dutch intelligence report also noted that China’s espionage extends into critical infrastructure, citing successful cyberattacks against defense networks and the use of malware targeting network devices.
One campaign cited in the report saw Chinese state-sponsored actor “Salt Typhoon” access U.S. telecom providers for over a year, intercepting communications from officials and potentially penetrating law enforcement networks. Dutch intelligence warned that European telecoms are likely similarly targeted. Brekelmans said the Dutch government has begun introducing safeguards, but acknowledged that further steps are needed.
The Dutch warning adds to growing global concern over Chinese influence and espionage operations.
A February report from cybersecurity firm Recorded Future indicates that Chinese hackers linked to Salt Typhoon are still infiltrating telecom networks in the United States.
This week, the Nebraska Legislature passed a sweeping bill to expose and deter covert CCP influence, establishing new registration requirements for foreign agents and cracking down on CCP-linked entities operating in the United States that seek to control overseas Chinese communities, manipulate local politics, and suppress dissent.
CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis recently warned that China poses an “existential threat” to the United States, emphasizing that the agency’s foremost mission is to surpass the CCP in a critical technological race involving semiconductors, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
Ellis’s concerns are echoed in the intelligence community’s latest threat assessment, which identifies China as “the most active and persistent cyber threat” to the United States—particularly across government systems, the private sector, and critical infrastructure.
The assessment cautions that in the event of a potential military confrontation with the United States—particularly over Taiwan—China could launch cyberattacks on U.S. military and civilian networks aimed at disrupting command operations, sowing public confusion, and delaying the deployment of American forces.
Speaking at the same security summit in Singapore as the Dutch defense minister, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of a looming military threat from China and pledged continued American support for Indo-Pacific allies working to preserve regional stability.
Hegseth said China is actively preparing to use force to alter “the balance of power” in the region. “There’s no reason to sugarcoat it: the threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,” he said.
While acknowledging uncertainty over the CCP’s intentions regarding Taiwan and neighboring countries, Hegseth said that “the U.S. and its allies must nonetheless be ready with urgency and vigilance.”
He said Beijing’s attempt to invade Taiwan could lead to “devastating consequences” for the region and the world, while calling on Indo-Pacific nations to raise defense spending, pointing to NATO’s 5 percent of GDP benchmark as a model.
Aldgra Fredly and Reuters contributed to this report.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
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Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
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- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
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In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.