In the Netherlands, there are warnings about a possible serious threat to the security of the European Union posed by increasing Chinese activity on the global stage
Vice Admiral Peter Reensink, director of Dutch military intelligence (MIVD), emphasized in a recent interview with Politico that European official structures must take potential challenges from Beijing more seriously, as these risks remain concealed and underestimated to this day. Reensink's statement came amid growing international tension and an escalation of the global security situation, with the continent's main focus on Russia's aggression and the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, the issue of the potential threat from China remains relevant. According to the head of Dutch intelligence, China possesses extremely sophisticated and organized cyber systems capable of large-scale cyberattacks and information disinformation, which pose a significant danger to European countries. "I would say that this threat exceeds the level of danger posed by Russia," he noted in an interview with journalists. In his annual report, published at the end of last month, MIVD highlighted the deepening military, economic, and political ties between Russia and China, as well as the increasing risks arising from their cooperation for the stability of the European region. Special attention in standard briefings is given to Russia's activation of hybrid operations against Dutch citizens and infrastructure, as well as other EU countries. Reports indicate that the Kremlin is promoting measures aimed at destabilizing the societal scene, undermining trust in institutions, and preparing for potential political or institutional changes. "We are already observing manifestations of this in Europe, although the level of these actions is significantly lower compared to the US," Reensink said. "But note that this is only the tip of the iceberg: in reality, we are dealing only with a limited part of China's complex cyber network, which is targeted at approximately ten European countries." Intelligence also shared data that Russia attempted to interfere in the democratic process in June last year by launching cyberattacks on political party websites and public transport systems, to complicate voting processes in the country. According to Reensink, such hybrid warfare actions are not unique phenomena and have long become a so-called tradition of Russian foreign policy. "We have information on Russia's interference in electoral processes not only in the Netherlands but also in many other countries that were previously under Russia's influence," the chief intelligence officer emphasized. "This is not only disinformation but also cyberattacks, and sometimes more complex operations aimed at undermining the stability of civil society." The main focus of current warnings is the possible buildup of Russia's military power, which, according to European intelligence agencies, is especially dangerous in the context of future conflicts. Reensink pointed out that the aggressor country is actively producing vast quantities of artillery and military equipment — not only to meet its needs in the war against Ukraine but also for potential further aggressive actions in the region. Moreover, Moscow is relocating new artillery units toward its borders with NATO countries, including those in the Baltics and Finland, which raises concerns among European military analysts and diplomats. Separately, Reensink emphasized the unchanged close cooperation among Western intelligence agencies — Europe and the United States — which remains strong and mutually beneficial amid global challenges. According to him, joint work of intelligence services is a vital component in countering not only Russian aggression but also threats from the Asian sphere, particularly from China, which seeks to enhance its geopolitical presence in the world and strengthen its information and cyber capabilities. Based on these conclusions, the Netherlands insists that Europe must stay alert and not relax its focus on potential threats from the East and from allied regions. The need for close cooperation among intelligence agencies and political dialogue is once again highlighted to prevent possible destabilization scenarios and to safeguard national interests in the future.