The third-generation superconducting quantum computer “Origin Wukong”. File photo: CCTV
Despite the US tightening restrictions to stifle the development of China’s cutting-edge technology, Chinese researchers remain committed to making great achievements in quantum computing with a long-term vision and strong determination, a leading Chinese scientist and quantum technology pioneer told the Global Times.
“We can see that ‘China’s strengths’ are increasingly being concentrated in China’s quantum computing industry. This gives us confidence in China’s independence and improvement of its quantum computing technology,” said Guo Guangcan, director of the Key Laboratory of Quantum Information of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, expressing optimism about the future of China’s quantum computing efforts.
The remarks came after some Western institutions and media reported that the US and China are engaged in a crucial race to gain “quantum superiority” and the ability to exert national security and commercial influence. According to the US-based think tank, Heritage Foundation, the possibility of China overtaking the US in a quantum arms race is a serious concern for US national security.
In a recent exclusive interview, Guo shared his views on promoting technological “decoupling” between the United States and China, and demonstrated his unwavering belief in China’s quantum computing technology autonomy.
The 82-year-old Chinese scientist said quantum computing has long been considered a key measure of the country’s technological advancement, with the ability to transform national security and boost economic development.
“Some countries have imposed strict barriers and restrictions on quantum computing technology, posing challenges to China’s quantum computing industry,” Guo noted. To remain competitive, the United States has been actively working to limit China’s progress in areas such as semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.
The Biden administration has introduced a series of restrictive measures targeting China’s quantum development in recent years. In the latest move, on May 9, the U.S. Department of Commerce, under the pretext of protecting national security, added 22 institutions and companies to the Entity List for their involvement in China’s quantum technological advances, and announced strict export controls to block China’s quantum research.
The move is part of a review of China’s repression strategy against key technology industries as the U.S. and its Western allies realise China could overtake the U.S. in the quantum technology arms race, Guo said. “The U.S. fears that China will overtake the U.S. and has taken a leading role among Western countries in efforts to counter China’s quantum technological advances.”
According to Guo, Western countries’ quantum computing blockade of China is manifesting itself in various ways, including sanctions on Chinese quantum computing companies, blocking the export of high-end quantum computing equipment, and restricting cross-border talent exchanges.
Despite these backlashes, China’s quantum computing technology is accelerating the pace to break through international barriers and achieve greater self-reliance and strength, as evidenced by the progress and inventive spirit of companies such as Origin Quantum Computing Technology Co., Ltd.
Origin Quantum Computing Technology, a seven-year-old startup focused on quantum computing and related technologies, has developed a third-generation superconducting quantum computer called Origin Wukong. Since it began operation in January, it has completed 250,000 quantum computing tasks for users around the world as of July 20. According to information provided by the company to the Global Times, the computer has been remotely accessed more than 12 million times from more than 125 countries around the world.
The delivery of the computer marks China’s establishment of a basic independent industrial chain for superconducting quantum computers, which is considered crucial for its future development.
“The U.S. blockade will only accelerate our country’s quantum technology,” Guo believes, adding that the world will watch with anticipation as China continues to push the boundaries of this cutting-edge technology.
A new computing paradigm
Quantum Computing and its Real-World Impact
As traditional computing techniques reach their limits, there is an increasing need to explore new computing paradigms that can solve problems that are beyond the scope of traditional methods.
“Quantum computing represents this new paradigm,” Guo said.
“The advent of AI and quantum computing will exponentially improve computing power and usher in a revolutionary era,” Guo explained, emphasizing that quantum computing will make it possible to solve previously insurmountable challenges.
“The difference in computing power between a quantum computer and an electronic computer is the same as the difference between an electronic computer and an abacus,” Guo said, stressing that quantum computers are not designed to replace electronic computers but to complement them, addressing technical hurdles and efficiency problems that once seemed insurmountable.
For example, generative AI will need the power of quantum computing to make fundamental advances: AI relies on the ability to process vast amounts of information, something quantum computers excel at, and in the pharmaceutical sector, quantum computers could accelerate drug development, ultimately benefiting public health.
Looking to the future, quantum technology shows incredible potential applications in a variety of fields: quantum computing is poised to revolutionize large-scale computations in pharmaceutical research and development, energy exploration, financial analysis, weather forecasting, and much more.
Overcoming international barriers with homegrown innovation
“Collaboration between tech companies, academia and research centers is key to driving the progress of quantum computing technology. Quantum computers will continue to tackle and solve complex problems through practical applications, creating a virtuous cycle that promotes continuous scientific and technological progress and industrial growth,” Guo said.
Emerging Industries
Guo said that amid global challenges and fierce competition in the science and technology field, developing an independent and controllable industrial chain in quantum computing is of vital importance to China.
As a cutting-edge technology, quantum computing is poised to become one of China’s future industries, helping to drive new productivity improvements and further propel economic growth. Guo stressed the importance of promoting collaboration among industry, academia and research institutes to advance quantum computing technologies and build a quantum ecosystem for scientific progress and industrial upgrading.
China has reached important milestones in quantum computing: its first homegrown superconducting quantum computer went into operation on Jan. 6, and China’s first independent superconducting quantum computer manufacturing chain was established in Hefei city in eastern China’s Anhui Province on May 12. These breakthroughs mark a major leap towards establishing technological self-reliance and positioning China as a major player in the global quantum computing industry, Guo said.
“We hope that the development of quantum technology will continue to advance through China’s high-tech industry and independent innovative research and development efforts. By translating relevant research findings into key technologies that drive social progress and economic development, quantum technology will become a new source of high-quality productivity,” Guo said.
China has made the development of future industries one of its major tasks as it intensifies its exploration of cutting-edge technologies as a major driver of economic growth. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has issued a future industry development action plan that focuses on making breakthroughs in key technologies, cultivating products, and expanding application scenarios, targeting areas such as humanoid robots and quantum information.
