Chinese lawmaker and quantum physicist Guo Guoping is urging Beijing to strengthen the country’s technology production chains to advance in the global quantum computing race. Guoping, also the founder of Origin Quantum, a leading company in China’s quantum computing technology, believes that China needs to focus on breaking through Western technological containment and developing its manufacturing chains. Despite significant progress, Guoping acknowledges that China still faces challenges in achieving technological self-sufficiency and industrialization in quantum computing. He suggests that authorities should plan strategically to promote industrial growth, such as increasing financial investment and nurturing talent.
Quantum Computing in China: A Call for Strengthened Industrial Chains
Quantum computing, a potentially transformative technology, is at the center of a global race for technological supremacy. Guo Guoping, a prominent quantum physicist and deputy to China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), has urged Beijing to bolster the technology’s industrial chains to help China remain competitive in this fierce global competition. Guoping’s proposal aims to break through Western technological containment in core areas and develop China’s own manufacturing chains.
The Role of Guo Guoping in China’s Quantum Computing Landscape
Guoping is a key figure in China’s quantum computing technology leadership, working as a quantum physicist at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Anhui province. He is also the founder of Origin Quantum, a significant player in advancing quantum computing technology in China. Since its establishment in 2017, Origin Quantum has announced numerous achievements, including the launch of the Origin Wukong quantum computer, China’s most advanced programmable and deliverable machine of its kind, which was opened to global users in January.
The Global Race for Quantum Supremacy
Quantum computing, which uses elementary particles called qubits as its basic unit of information, is seen as a disruptive technology with the potential to revolutionize many fields, including healthcare, finance, and data security. Major world powers, including China and the United States, are in a race to be the first to harness this key technology. Despite significant progress, Guoping noted that China’s quantum computing still faces challenges in terms of technological self-sufficiency and industrialization.
The Need for Strategic Planning and Investment in Quantum Computing
Guoping has proposed that authorities should carry out medium and long-term strategic planning to promote industrial growth in quantum computing, such as boosting financial investment and nurturing talent. This includes everything from computing power layout to quantum chip production. A quantum scientist and manager of a Wuhan-based start-up in the field agreed on the need for state-level industrial support policies and investment, especially as the technology is still in its infancy and on the verge of widespread practical application.
The Challenge of Developing Supply Chains for Quantum Computing
The development of supply chains for quantum computing poses a challenge as the industry has yet to consolidate around a single approach. Teams around the world are using different physical approaches, including superconducting, photonic, and neutral atomic pathways, to develop a quantum computer. In such circumstances, it is prudent for Beijing to strengthen supply chains for different approaches to reduce risk rather than betting on a particular strategy, according to a Chinese researcher.
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