Friend
Professional
- Messages
- 2,653
- Reaction score
- 850
- Points
- 113
A new report reveals the global balance of power in quantum technologies.
China is leading the way in quantum network technology, which should alert the U.S. despite its superiority in quantum computing. This is the conclusion reached by the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) think tank in its recent report "How Innovative Is China in the Quantum Sphere?"
After the Edward Snowden leaks in 2013, President Xi Jinping made it a priority to develop quantum communication to protect state secrets. Since then, as the report notes, "China has been moving forward rapidly, consolidating its leadership in the global race for secure communications, especially in the field of QKD [quantum key distribution]".
China has implemented the most ambitious projects in this area. With a length of more than 1,900 km, the Beijing-Shanghai highway is "the longest QKD network in the world". In addition, China operates the Mozi satellite, which has "demonstrated the potential to create a global quantum internet – a network that will use quantum technologies to transmit information in a way that is much more secure than today's internet".
In the field of quantum computing, the United States and its allies are in the lead. "In equipment development, the United States has taken command leadership over China", the report said. America occupies a leading position in the field of superconductors and ion capture technologies for the representation of qubits. The U.S. is also leading the way in the development of quantum algorithms, key software components for quantum computers.
China has made some progress in creating superconducting quantum chips, but is lagging behind in the algorithmic part. In the field of quantum sensors, both countries are at approximately the same level of development.
Differences in achievements reflect different priorities of countries. China has focused on creating specific products and is actively innovating. The U.S., on the other hand, relies on a step-by-step process from basic research to applied research to commercial products. According to the report's authors, "it is a step-by-step process that can be slow and fragmented, with each stage often handled by different organizations".
The ITIF recommends that the U.S. view quantum technologies as a critical national security and economic issue. Analysts warn: "While the United States promotes open innovation, China's protectionist stance on its own achievements creates an asymmetrical knowledge-sharing environment."
Experts call for the careful application of export controls. They emphasize that "while export controls are vital to protect quantum technologies from misuse, policymakers should apply them judiciously so as not to hinder both innovation and international cooperation".
Source
China is leading the way in quantum network technology, which should alert the U.S. despite its superiority in quantum computing. This is the conclusion reached by the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) think tank in its recent report "How Innovative Is China in the Quantum Sphere?"
After the Edward Snowden leaks in 2013, President Xi Jinping made it a priority to develop quantum communication to protect state secrets. Since then, as the report notes, "China has been moving forward rapidly, consolidating its leadership in the global race for secure communications, especially in the field of QKD [quantum key distribution]".
China has implemented the most ambitious projects in this area. With a length of more than 1,900 km, the Beijing-Shanghai highway is "the longest QKD network in the world". In addition, China operates the Mozi satellite, which has "demonstrated the potential to create a global quantum internet – a network that will use quantum technologies to transmit information in a way that is much more secure than today's internet".
In the field of quantum computing, the United States and its allies are in the lead. "In equipment development, the United States has taken command leadership over China", the report said. America occupies a leading position in the field of superconductors and ion capture technologies for the representation of qubits. The U.S. is also leading the way in the development of quantum algorithms, key software components for quantum computers.
China has made some progress in creating superconducting quantum chips, but is lagging behind in the algorithmic part. In the field of quantum sensors, both countries are at approximately the same level of development.
Differences in achievements reflect different priorities of countries. China has focused on creating specific products and is actively innovating. The U.S., on the other hand, relies on a step-by-step process from basic research to applied research to commercial products. According to the report's authors, "it is a step-by-step process that can be slow and fragmented, with each stage often handled by different organizations".
The ITIF recommends that the U.S. view quantum technologies as a critical national security and economic issue. Analysts warn: "While the United States promotes open innovation, China's protectionist stance on its own achievements creates an asymmetrical knowledge-sharing environment."
Experts call for the careful application of export controls. They emphasize that "while export controls are vital to protect quantum technologies from misuse, policymakers should apply them judiciously so as not to hinder both innovation and international cooperation".
Source
