The Chinese version of the French international broadcaster Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on the 7th, citing Reuters, that "Belgian prosecutors detained a man with dual Chinese and Belgian nationality." The man is suspected of engaging in espionage related to semiconductor technology.

According to reports, the detained individual is a 52-year-old man. He was arrested on May 10 while attempting to board a flight to Beijing from Brussels Zaventem International Airport, and incarcerated the following day. It should be noted that while Reuters and other media outlets reported the man as having "dual nationality," China does not recognize dual nationality. In China, it is stipulated that individuals who voluntarily acquire foreign nationality automatically lose their Chinese nationality.

The man had served as a manager in the research and development department at the Belgian semiconductor manufacturer BelGaN BV, which went bankrupt in July 2024. The company produced gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors, which were expected to be utilized in electric vehicles (EVs), aviation, military, and other fields.

The Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office suspects the man of illegally transferring the company's patents and trade secrets to China. Furthermore, it is alleged that while working at BelGaN BV, the man also served as a director of a Chinese company engaged in similar business, and this company was reportedly funded by a Chinese investment fund.

The investigation is also pursuing a second suspect, who is under suspicion of espionage, involvement in a criminal organization, embezzlement of company assets, and illegal disclosure of trade secrets.