China is currently rapidly developing its quantum market amidst an intensifying technology race between its powerhouse economy and the West. Currently, China is seeking technological excellence in related areas such as quantum computing, AI, and semiconductors.
Chinese Government Investment and Initiatives
Chinese state funding in its technological infrastructure is significantly gathering pace as the nation seeks to become a world leader in advanced quantum and AI technologies.
The Chinese government has earmarked around $15 billion for quantum research and advanced applications in areas such as defense, security, and artificial intelligence. Whilst this figure is the estimated total spend on these technologies within China, the figure is somewhat disputed by international observers.
Chinese state funding into quantum has been estimated to be double the total EU commitment to the sector and four times that of the United States.
Amongst the various projects and initiatives in the Chinese quantum environment, two notable examples are:
- The National Laboratory for Quantum Science in Hefei. This is the largest quantum research facility in the world, at thirty-seven hectares.
- Origin Quantum, which has received $148m in funding from state-owned venture capital fund Shenzhen Capital.
Private investment in China has more than doubled year-on-year recently, with many established companies and startups now being seen in investment portfolios in increasing numbers. The Chinese market now represents over 50% of global spending on quantum technologies.
Estimated funding in China into quantum until now stands at $4-17 billion dollars, with >$255 million worth of private investments publicly disclosed since 2021. ~84,000 patents have been granted in China over the past decade, and 30+ Chinese quantum companies exist, excluding University groups.
Chinese Quantum Companies By Segment
The Chinese quantum market is divided into five segments: software (26%), quantum computers (26%), hardware components (22%), quantum comms & security (19%), and other quantum (7%.)
Featured Chinese Quantum Companies
The Chinese quantum market includes startups, multinational subsidiaries, and partly state-owned corporations. Some of the major players in the Chinese quantum landscape are listed below:
Origin Quantum is a Chinse quantum startup. Founded in 2017, a notable milestone for the company came in 2020 with the launch of Origin Quantum’s Wu Yuan, a superconducting quantum computer.
At the center of Wu Yuan’s superconducting quantum computing abilities is a 6-qubit quantum processor. Origin has announced plans for future 24 and 64-qubit computers. The company has secured over $15 million in funding to help develop new quantum technologies.
Origin develops quantum AI, quantum measurement devices, quantum chips, quantum control systems, and innovative quantum cloud computing services.
Qasky was formed in 2016 with the purpose of commercializing quantum cryptography research. The company designs integrated technologies, including terminals, optoelectronic devices, quantum network security controls, and software.
The company has built several R&D platforms for quantum information services as well as a quantum technology research center to further develop new quantum solutions for multiple industries.
Huawei Cloud’s HiQ Quantum Computing Cloud Platform is currently in beta mode but will provide high-powered quantum computing solutions in the future. It will improve quantum circuit simulation for multiple industries. The company aims to provide more services as the platform is developed.
Established in 1998, Tencent Holdings Ltd. is a multinational conglomerate based in China. Tencent Quantum Lab is the conglomerate’s main quantum technology holding. The holding works closely with international academic institutions and commercial enterprises.
The main aim of Tencent Quantum Lab is to develop novel quantum systems, software, cloud computing, and algorithms for emerging sectors such as quantum chemistry.
Baidu, a Chinese technology company, announced its first quantum computer in August 2022. This uses qubits (quantum bits) to perform complex calculations at speeds much faster than conventional computers. The company aims to become a global leader in quantum AI research.
Central to the company’s commercial strategy is the integration of quantum technologies via Ips, patents, top acquisitions, research projects, and standards. Currently, Baidu is researching quantum algorithms, quantum AI, and quantum architecture.
ZTE Corporation is one of the most established telecommunications and IT companies in China, founded in 1985. Partially state-owned, the company announced innovative optical transport network-based encryption transport technologies, the first in the quantum industry.
Outlook
China is rapidly expanding its portfolio of quantum companies and technologies, making international inroads into multiple industries such as defense, security, and research. Recent breakthroughs in quantum computers and quantum satellite communication networks attest to China’s growing influence on the world stage.
Whilst significant hurdles persist, considerable state focus on emerging quantum technologies is driving China’s rapid and unprecedented transition to a global leader in the quantum landscape.
Regional Spotlight: Quantum Technology in India
References and Further Reading
Jakob P (2023) Chinese Quantum Companies and National Strategy 2023 [online] thequantuminsider.com. Available at:
https://thequantuminsider.com/2023/04/13/chinese-quantum-companies-and-national-strategy-2023/
Dargan, J (2021) 9 Leading Chinese Quantum Computing Companies [2022] [online] thequantuminsider.com. Available at:
https://thequantuminsider.com/2021/04/20/9-companies-leading-the-quantum-technologies-race-in-china/
Howell, S (2023) The China-US Quantum Race [online] thediplomat.com. Available at:
https://thediplomat.com/2023/01/the-china-us-quantum-race/
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