Guo is a quantum physicist at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in southeastern Anhui province and a central figure in China’s leadership in quantum computing technology.
His proposal comes ahead of next week’s start of the annual “Two Meetings” gathering of parliamentarians and political advisers in Beijing.
He said that the development of quantum computers has entered a new stage, and overseas institutions and companies are putting great effort into not only laboratory research but also engineering and industrial applications.
“Two Sessions”: What to look out for in China’s biggest political event of the year
“Two Sessions”: What to look out for in China’s biggest political event of the year
China and the United States are competing to be number one in the use of key technologies that have the potential to transform many sectors, including healthcare, finance, and data security.
Guo said that although China’s quantum computing has made significant progress, it still faces hurdles in terms of technological self-sufficiency and industrialization.
In an article published in September on a website run by the Communist Party’s mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, Guo said China is developing core hardware and technology, including Western-dominated technologies such as dilution refrigerators and quantum processors. He said that research in software technology should be strengthened.
Mr. Guo also acknowledged the nature of the gap between China and Western countries in the industrial application of quantum computing. “There is a disconnect between research and application,” he wrote, noting that China’s quantum computing research and development costs are high, but there is a lack of solid market demand to drive research.
Guo said authorities should implement medium- to long-term strategic plans to foster industrial growth, from deploying computing capacity to producing quantum chips, promoting financial investment and developing human resources. Proposed.
Quantum scientists and executives at a Wuhan-based start-up in the field argue that while the technology is in its early stages and on the eve of widespread commercialization, there is a need for national-level industrial support policies and investment. Agreed.
The researcher, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed out that support should be comprehensive from upstream to downstream of universities, research institutes, companies, and industrial chains developing quantum computing.
27:21
Biden’s China high-tech policy goals: 10-year handicap
Biden’s China high-tech policy goals: 10-year handicap
Government support of this magnitude has been given to China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry. Since launching the first new energy vehicle industry development plan in 2008, various policies such as nationwide vehicle subsidies have made China the world’s largest EV producer with an extensive supply chain.
“As quantum technology becomes more mature and production scales up, the supply chain for quantum devices will become an increasingly important policy issue,” said Robert E., a physicist at the California-based think tank RAND Corporation and said Edward Parker, lead author of the report. Technology published in February 2023.
‘Two sessions’ in 2024: China hints at further fiscal stimulus amid economic uncertainty
‘Two sessions’ in 2024: China hints at further fiscal stimulus amid economic uncertainty
But quantum computing is still a nascent field, and teams around the world are developing quantum computers using a variety of physical approaches, including superconductivity, photons, and neutral atomic pathways.
Parker said the industry is not yet unified around a single approach, which could pose challenges in supply chain development.
In such a situation, it would have been wise for the Chinese government to strengthen its supply chain with various approaches to reduce risks, rather than betting on a particular strategy, Chinese researchers said.