Belgian-Chinese Researcher Arrested for Alleged GaN Semiconductor Trade Secret Theft

Arrest and Allegations

A 52-year-old Belgian-Chinese man, identified as H.L., was arrested on May 10 at a Brussels airport. He is suspected of industrial espionage, specifically transferring specialized gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor intellectual property and trade secrets from the Belgian chipmaker BelGaN, where he was employed, to China.

Connection to Chinese Firm

The suspect previously held a senior research position at BelGaN, which specialized in GaN semiconductors. Investigators allege he concurrently led a Chinese chip firm, GanKool, which was developing identical GaN chip technology. GanKool was established shortly after H.L. joined BelGaN and was financed by a Chinese investment fund. The suspect faces charges including industrial espionage and unlawful disclosure of business secrets.

Investigation into BelGaN's Collapse

The espionage allegations emerged from an investigation into BelGaN's bankruptcy in the summer of 2024. A routine financial probe uncovered unusual corporate activity, suggesting that managers and the researcher may have actively sought to dismantle BelGaN after transferring its proprietary knowledge. This led to the discovery of GanKool and its connections to BelGaN.

Broader Implications

Investigators also found evidence linking BelGaN's last CEO, a Chinese national, to the same Chinese rival, with a second suspect remaining at large. This incident underscores the escalating competition over technology and intellectual property in the semiconductor industry, particularly as China aims to reduce its reliance on foreign chip technology amid global restrictions on advanced processors.