China Escalates Feud With Japan, Probes Chipmaking Material

China started an anti-dumping probe into a key chipmaking material from Japan, escalating the dispute between Asia’s largest economies shortly after Tokyo officials rebuked Beijing over potentially wide-ranging export controls.

The material, dichlorosilane, is mainly used in thin films needed to produce logic, memory, analog and other types of chips, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce. The investigation should be completed within a year from Wednesday, but may extend an additional six months, it said in a statement.