DECOUPLING: Chinese firms import record levels of chip making equipment.

The country imported a record $26 billion worth of such machinery, while ASML — a Dutch firm that makes the world’s most advanced chip lithography devices — reported surging sales to China.

A Washington-based semiconductor trade association, meanwhile, warned that Chinese tech giant Huawei was building a secret set of chip making facilities to evade US sanctions, according to Bloomberg.

Semiconductors have emerged as a key issue in the US-China rivalry, with Washington enlisting allies to restrict Beijing’s access to the most advanced chip technology: A think tank said this week China lags the sector’s global leaders by about five years.

Intel continues struggling and China looks serious about catching up to Taiwan Semi.