This summer, chipmaker Nexperia purchased a lavish countryside estate in Loenen aan de Vecht for about 6.7 million euros, according to an investigation by RTL Z. The property includes a
high-end farmhouse, several outbuildings, and even a swimming pool. Sources told RTL Z that the place was meant to serve as a Dutch home for Chinese executive Zhang Xuezheng—better known locally as “Mr. Wing.”
Residents say that not long after the sale went through, a large birthday party was held at the estate. Black limousines reportedly came and went, and Dutch music played late into the night.
But just a few months after the purchase, Zhang was removed from his position at Nexperia. His departure came amid rising tensions between the Netherlands and China. The Dutch government had placed Nexperia under official supervision to prevent the transfer of European technology to China, and Zhang’s removal was part of those measures.
China struck back by blocking exports of Nexperia chips produced in the country—an action that caused real problems for car manufacturers that rely on those components. The restrictions were finally lifted last weekend, easing the standoff.
Land registry documents confirm that Nexperia acquired the estate—known as De Zonneroos—in early June. The company paid 6.1 million euros for the property, plus around €600,000 in purchasing costs.
Robbert Klaver, the previous owner and a real estate entrepreneur, told RTL Z that the estate was indeed bought as a home for Zhang and his family. According to him, Zhang felt his previous location in Vinkeveen was too noisy. “Here he’s close to the airport but still has plenty of privacy,” Klaver said. The property includes a 3.4-hectare private park, which keeps it well shielded from neighbors—many of whom say they haven’t seen much of the new resident.
Back in March, when the estate first hit the market and no one knew who the buyer might be, business magazine *Quote* described it as a “Loenen delight,” noting its extremely luxurious finish and style.
Selling agent Dirk Gerwig confirmed that he sold the property to Nexperia but declined to give any details. “I won’t say who I showed around or what was discussed. That’s sensitive,” he said.
Nexperia, once part of Philips, was bought in 2019 by the Chinese conglomerate Wingtech, owned by Zhang. He became CEO in 2020. Neither Nexperia nor Wingtech responded to RTL Z’s questions.
Klaver said he only realized the significance of the sale after reading later news coverage. “We didn’t know exactly who we were selling to,” he said. “It was all very private. Only later, when I read about it in the papers, did I think: Nexperia? That’s the buyer!”. Photo by Groucho NL, Wikimedia commons.