Quantum
Quantum technologies are emerging as a key subject of global power competition due to their potential military applications and ability to fundamentally transform people’s lives. Quantum effects can overcome limitations of digital technologies, solve computational problems that take impossibly long using traditional computers and transmit information over long distances without the risk of being intercepted. China hopes quantum technologies will allow it to leapfrog Western rivals.
China and the US are locked in a tight race for supremacy in quantum technologies. Through sustained government investment, China has achieved a number of firsts, including developing and launching the first quantum satellite, Micius.
While China has so far led in quantum communication, which enables secure communication over long distances, the US still leads in quantum computation.
China’s quantum technology development is a major result of mission-driven innovation. In the US, private companies like IBM dominate the race. So far at least, Chinese quantum technology companies and researchers have relied on government funding. Instead of large digital companies, startups founded by people with university affiliations, and usually funded by local or central government funds, dominate the landscape.
Quantum technologies are also a major area of international collaboration. Micius, the quantum satellite, was developed in cooperation with the University of Vienna, with future communication tests taking place between China and Russia. Many quantum technologies are still far from being market-ready but could provide decisive advantages to a military using them. As such, quantum research is at the forefront of discussions about research security in Europe.
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Anhui leads in quantum policy development
Quantum technologies are concentrated in Hefei, Anhui. Professor of Physics Pan Jian-Wei at the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei is at the center of quantum technology development. He earned his PhD in Vienna and did a postdoc in Heidelberg before moving to Hefei to build a government-funded lab.
China-affiliated authors have published more research papers on quantum tech than US-affiliated ones
Since 2022, China-affiliated authors have published more research papers on quantum technologies than US-affiliated ones. The field is still highly internationalized, with many European countries also publishing significant papers. Germany is over-represented for its size, reflecting the world-class academic research taking place in Germany in quantum technologies.
US leads in quantum tech, says Chinese government think tank
A report on quantum technology of Chinese Academy of ICT (CAICT), a think tank under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, stated that the US still leads China in many indicators. Despite a solid research basis in quantum computing, CAICT said China must improve research commercialization, company development and industrial roll-out. Dependence on foreign technology was a key indicator.
Quantum in China: Timeline of crucial events
Development
Policy/regulation
First A-listing of a quantum firm in China at the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The firm, QuantumCTek, offers quantum key distribution services for secure communications.
Jul 2020
The US adds QuantumCTek to its Entity List of trade-restricted companies, cutting off access to key US technology.
Nov 2021
China launches its second quantum satellite, Jinan 1, a successor to Micius, the first quantum satellite in the world. These satellites allow secure communication over long distances.
Jul 2022
The MIIT issues “Implementation opinions for future industries,” detailing goals for quantum computing.
Jan 2024
Origin Quantum presents the 24-qubit quantum computer Wukon. Some of the machines used to create it are reportedly German.
Feb 2024
Researchers at the University of Science and Technology (USTC) in Hefei claim their photonic quantum computer Jiuzhang, using 76 photons, beats traditional computers (quantum supremacy).
Oct 2020
Origin Quantum becomes China’s first unicorn (startup worth more than USD 1 billion) in quantum technology. Its founders came from the Chinese Academy of Science in Hefei.
Nov 2021
China’s dedicated technical commission on quantum standards (TC578) issues its first national standard in quantum communication.
Aug 2023
China and Russia successfully establish quantum communication over a distance of 3800 km, using China's quantum satellite. Earlier experiments had been conducted with Austria.
Jan 2024
The US adds 22 Chinese organizations and firms to its Entity List, including Origin Quantum, USTC, and several CAS institutes. They can no longer import US-made technology.
May 2024
Recent developments
Tech progress
- Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China successfully realized a quantum-controlled not-gate (CNOT-gate) invisible transmission between two optical quantum integrated chips for the first time. If this technology becomes commercially viable, it will help build quantum computers based on optical chips. (Source (CN): CAS, July 21, 2025)
- The University of Science and Technology of China built a key component for a quantum computer – an atom-arranging setup capable of creating arrays ten times larger than previous systems. This development addresses speed and scalability limitations in atom-based quantum computing, potentially enabling more efficient quantum processors. (Sources (EN): Physical Review Journal, SCMP, August 13, 2025)
- China is developing a high-orbit quantum communication satellite, set to launch around 2027 into geostationary orbit over 35,000 km above Earth. The satellite is designed to enable global quantum networks and carry an optical atomic clock for advanced quantum metrology. The development was revealed by China’s top quantum physicist Pan Jianwei during a keynote speech in Germany in June 2025. (Source (EN): SCMP, June 26, 2025)
Domestic dynamics
- China has launched a 2030 action plan to strengthen its national metrology capabilities, focusing on advanced semiconductor, quantum, and rare earth measurement technologies. The plan calls for the development of “distributable quantum measurement standard reference devices.” (Sources (CN): China’s government, June 19, 2025)
- Hefei Rail Transit Group and Guodun Quantum will pilot quantum-secure data transmission for ticketing and passenger systems. Using quantum encryption, the project focuses on “physical-law-level” protection for urban transit networks. (Source (CN): Hefei Rail Transit Group, April 3, 2025)
- China Telecom Quantum Group has developed China’s first quantum-secure smart tax control system for fuel stations. The system uses quantum encryption to monitor fuel sales in real time, secure data transmission, and prevent tax evasion, currently deployed in multiple provinces. (Source (CN): China Telecom Quantum Group, April 1, 2025)
Publications
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