China’s Quantum Computing Labs Achieve Major Encryption Milestone

Chinese scientists have achieved a major advance in quantum encryption, marking a milestone in the country’s pursuit of secure digital communications and computational power.
The breakthrough, confirmed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), involves the successful integration of quantum key distribution (QKD) into a fully operational quantum computing network, a world first that significantly boosts data security and processing capability.

Experts say the achievement not only enhances China’s cyber resilience but also sets the foundation for commercial quantum networks capable of supporting finance, defense, and space research applications.

New Milestone in Quantum Encryption Technology

Researchers at the National Laboratory for Quantum Information Science in Hefei developed a new quantum transmission protocol capable of sustaining ultra-stable encrypted communication over 2,000 kilometers without signal degradation.
The experiment combined photonic chip integration with real-time error correction algorithms, ensuring consistent quantum key generation across multiple network nodes.

According to lead scientist Pan Jianwei, known as “the father of quantum,” this marks the first time that high-fidelity encryption and computation have been successfully merged within a distributed quantum network.
“The breakthrough enables secure data transmission at a scale never achieved before,” Pan said. “It moves us closer to realizing a global quantum internet.”

The upgraded encryption standard, dubbed QKD-Plus, is designed to prevent interception or decryption by classical or AI-assisted supercomputers, ensuring long-term data security even in post-quantum environments.

Strategic Significance and Policy Support

The discovery aligns with China’s National Quantum Technology Roadmap, which identifies quantum communication and computing as strategic frontiers for national security and digital sovereignty.
Under the 15th Five-Year Plan, quantum technologies are categorized as critical enablers for secure infrastructure and next-generation industrial systems.

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has invested heavily in quantum research, allocating over 15 billion yuan for national laboratories and pilot programs.
State-backed enterprises, including China Telecom and CETC, are already testing quantum-secured networks for financial transactions and smart city applications in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

“The integration of quantum encryption into practical computing platforms marks a decisive step toward commercial viability,” said Dr. Liu Wei, a quantum cryptography expert at Tsinghua University. “It shows China’s growing maturity in transforming research into scalable technology.”

Industry Applications and Global Implications

The latest breakthrough could reshape global standards for cybersecurity and data privacy.
Chinese financial institutions and cloud providers are now exploring how quantum-encrypted systems can protect sensitive data from hacking and algorithmic attacks.
Quantum-secure communication is particularly vital for defense, healthcare, and digital currency systems, where confidentiality and real-time security are critical.

According to CGTN, China’s Quantum Satellite “Micius”, launched in 2016, will soon be upgraded with the new encryption protocol, enabling end-to-end secure communication between government networks and international partners.
Meanwhile, Huawei and Alibaba Cloud are preparing to integrate QKD-Plus technology into their enterprise cloud platforms, potentially offering quantum-grade encryption to clients as early as 2026.

“The race to achieve secure quantum communication is intensifying globally, but China has taken a clear lead,” said Professor Zhao Ming from the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics. “This development will influence how the world defines digital security in the post-encryption era.”

Quantum Secure Future

As cyber threats evolve and data volumes surge, quantum encryption is emerging as the foundation of next-generation information security.
Analysts predict that by 2030, China’s quantum communication network will span over 10,000 kilometers, connecting all major economic zones and research institutions.

Commercial deployment of quantum-encrypted cloud services is expected to accelerate, giving China a decisive advantage in global cybersecurity standards and digital infrastructure resilience.
By combining scientific innovation with national policy, China is shaping a future where information flows securely and efficiently across an increasingly interconnected world.