Nexperia bought a €6.7 million property in Dutch village for controversial owner
Chip company Nexperia bought an estate this summer in Loenen aan de Vecht for 6.7 million euros, including a luxury farmhouse, outbuildings, and a swimming pool, according to an RTL Z investigation. Newspaper sources alleged that the estate was intended as a Dutch residence for Chinese executive Zhang Xuezheng. Neighbors told RTL Z that Mr. Wing reportedly held a large birthday party at the estate shortly after the purchase, with black limousines coming and going and Dutch-language music playing.
Around fourth months after the alleged purchase, Zhang was removed from the company. The Netherlands and China have been caught in a diplomatic clash over Nexperia, after the Dutch government placed the Nijmegen-based firm under official oversight and removed Zhang to "prevent the transfer of European technology and intellectual property" to China.
Beijing retaliated by blocking Nexperia’s chip exports from China, a move that disrupted supply chains and led to shortages in the automotive sector. The restriction was lifted last Saturday, signaling a partial de-escalation of the dispute. Nexperia’s semiconductors are widely used in vehicle manufacturing.
Land registry data shows that Nexperia purchased the estate, “De Zonneroos,” in Loenen aan de Vecht in early June, paying 6.1 million euros plus more than 600,000 euros in purchase costs.
The estate’s former owner, real estate entrepreneur Robbert Klaver, confirmed to RTL Z that while Nexperia purchased the estate, it is intended as a residence for Zhang, his family, and entourage. “I understand he found Vinkeveen too noisy and didn’t feel free there. Now he is close to the airport but has enough privacy. We were outside Loenen’s center—it’s really a country estate,” he said.
RTL Z also reported that a tour of the village shows neighbors have seen or heard little of Zhang, who is often referred to as “Mr. Wing.” The estate is surrounded by a 3.4-hectare private park, adding a degree of privacy.
In March, when the estate first went on the market and its notable new owner was unknown, business magazine Quote called it a “Loenen delight” and highlighted its extremely luxurious finish and appearance.
Selling agent Dirk Gerwig confirmed the sale to Nexperia but declined further comment. “I won’t say who I showed around or what was discussed. That’s sensitive. But you can imagine someone like him has many people handling these kinds of things,” he told RTL.
Chipmaker Nexperia, formerly part of electronics giant Philips, was acquired in 2019 by Chinese conglomerate Wingtech, owned by entrepreneur Zhang Xuezheng. Zhang, often called “Mr. Wing,” became Nexperia’s CEO in 2020.
Nexperia spokespeople have not responded to RTL Z inquiries in recent days. A spokesperson for parent company Wingtech and Zhang also has not responded.
Former owner Klaver said he knew nothing about the new owner’s background at the time of sale. “We didn’t realize who exactly we were selling the house to. It was a very private affair,” he told RTL. “I knew Nexperia was a company from Nijmegen and a sponsor of football club NEC. We never saw ‘Mr. Wing,’ as he was introduced to us. Only later, when I read about developments in FD, did I think: Nexperia? That’s my buyer!”
