My take: the sanctions weren’t meant to block or even slow down access to chips, but rather to secure profits for a chosen few companies by kicking out all the competitors.

This take is based on my reading of the US Dept of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security’s rules, which can be found here: https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/regulations/federal-register-notices#10172023a

Which basically says that exports to China and production in China are allowed if licensed.

Given this, I suggest that this article is 100% propaganda as China is still legally allowed to purchase “export controlled” chips according to the US’s own export rules. However, I noticed that this little (read: gaping) loophole is rarely if ever discussed by reactionary media or commenters trying to figure out how China is still buying these chips. The news tries to make it seem like Chinese institutions and companies are somehow engaging in shady business to acquire these chips when a simpler explanation is available.