AMSTERDAM — A Dutch court has ordered a formal investigation into alleged governance failures at Nexperia, a semiconductor manufacturer owned by China that has become a focal point in the escalating geopolitical contest over critical chip technology.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, the Amsterdam Enterprise Chamber said there were “reasonable grounds to doubt the soundness of the company’s policies and business conduct,” paving the way for an in-depth inquiry expected to span several months.

Although headquartered in the Netherlands, Nexperia is ultimately controlled by China’s Wingtech Technology — a structure that has placed the firm squarely within the broader strategic rivalry between Beijing and Western governments over control of semiconductor supply chains. Nexperia’s chips are widely used in the automotive sector, meaning any operational disruption could ripple across European carmakers and global manufacturing networks.

The court has previously intervened in the company’s governance. In October, it suspended chief executive Zhang Xuezheng, also known as Wing, citing concerns over his management approach.

With the launch of the investigation, the court confirmed that all interim safeguards will remain in force. These include the continued suspension of the director, the appointment of a temporary executive, and the transfer of certain shareholdings to ensure corporate stability throughout the probe.

The development marks another flashpoint in the global technology power struggle, as Western authorities grow increasingly cautious about Chinese influence in the semiconductor industry — a sector widely viewed as foundational to economic security and strategic competitiveness in the 21st century.