Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) - Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS)

 Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS)

Quantum Technology for communications: China

China sees quantum technology as pivotal in global science and tech competition. It has stepped up government spending on scientific and industrial development to about USD 15 billion. At the same time, Beijing has increased secrecy and raised restrictions on the transfer of quantum-related knowledge outside the country.

According to MERICS experts Antonia Hmaidi and Jeroen Groenewegen-Lau, “current global competition in quantum technology is similar to that over nuclear capabilities during the early Cold War. Whoever develops quantum technologies first will have palpable military advantages in cryptology, detection and information processing, not to mention a symbolic victory in a tech field all global powers agree is of strategic significance.” 

In a new MERICS Report, they zoom in on China’s quantum ambitions. The report is part of a series of publications from the MERICS China Tech Observatory, a project funded by the Federal Ministry of Research and Education (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung).

Key takeaways: 

📃China now publishes more quantum-related research papers annually than any other country, including the US. 

⏳As an early-stage technology, quantum computing and communication are the perfect research mission for China. They require long-term planning and large state investments, closely resembling past research missions. 

📡China leads the world in quantum communications, where it boasts the world’s largest quantum communication network, which includes two quantum satellites. 

🥇European countries are leaders in quantum research but have struggled to translate these research results into practical applications. 

🤝The EU should move beyond protecting technological advances by stepping up union-wide efforts to promote the scientific and industrial development of quantum capabilities. 

Links in the first comment.

🖇️ China’s long-term bet on quantum tech may leave the US and EU scrambling to catch up - MERICS Report by Antonia Hmaidi and Jeroen Groenewegen-Lau: https://merics.org/en/report/chinas-long-view-quantum-tech-has-us-and-eu-playing-catch

🖇️ Explore the MERICS China Tech Observatory: https://merics.org/en/china-tech-observatory