China bets on quantum technologies to strengthen technological independence by 2035

China is placing quantum technologies at the center of its long-term development strategy, alongside artificial intelligence, photonics, advanced semiconductors and next-generation manufacturing. The objective is to build a stronger domestic technology base and reduce dependence on foreign capabilities by 2035, as Beijing seeks to turn scientific research into industrial and economic strength.

The approach reflects a broader shift in China’s technology policy from supporting fundamental research to developing practical infrastructure capable of generating commercial and strategic applications. Quantum information, photonics, microelectronics and advanced communications are increasingly being treated as interconnected fields rather than isolated areas of research.

Quantum technology is being developed across three principal areas: computing, communications and sensing. China gained an early position in quantum communications with the launch of the Micius satellite in 2016, a project designed to test secure quantum communication links through space. The mission helped establish China as one of the leading countries in the development of quantum communication technologies.

Quantum computing has also become an important area of investment. Chinese companies and research institutions are working on different approaches, including superconducting and photonic systems. Companies such as Origin Quantum, Baidu and Alibaba have explored superconducting quantum computing, while other firms have focused on photonic technologies. Local authorities in regions including Anhui and Jiangsu have also supported specialized facilities dedicated to photonics and quantum technology integration.

This development model reflects Beijing’s preference for combining central government priorities with regional implementation. National authorities define strategic objectives and allocate resources, while local governments establish research centers, testing facilities, industrial parks and investment programs designed to turn national priorities into concrete projects.

China’s growing emphasis on quantum technologies is also visible when its successive five-year plans are compared. References to quantum technology were limited in the 13th Five-Year Plan covering 2016–2020, where the focus was largely connected to communications. By the 14th Five-Year Plan for 2021–2025, quantum-related references had expanded to include quantum information, computing and sensing, indicating a much broader strategic ambition.

The change is part of a wider effort to develop what analysts describe as a deep-technology ecosystem. Artificial intelligence, advanced materials, photonics, semiconductors and quantum technologies are being developed in parallel, with the expectation that progress in one field can reinforce capabilities in others. Quantum information, for example, could eventually contribute to advances in secure communications, sensing and computing, while advanced semiconductor and photonic technologies remain essential to the infrastructure supporting these systems.

Artificial intelligence occupies a similarly important position in China’s technology strategy. Beijing views AI as a driver of economic growth and an important tool for modernizing industry and public services. At the same time, advanced computing, photonics and semiconductor technologies are considered critical to strengthening domestic computing capacity and reducing exposure to foreign supply restrictions.

China’s approach differs in some respects from that of the United States and Europe. Washington has developed a national quantum strategy involving government laboratories, universities and private companies, while the European Union’s Quantum Flagship emphasizes multinational research cooperation. China, by contrast, integrates research, industrial policy, infrastructure development and regional investment within a more centralized national framework.

Such central coordination can allow Beijing to mobilize significant resources and align research priorities rapidly. However, the model also presents challenges, including possible duplication between government institutions, bureaucratic competition and questions surrounding transparency. Government plans often establish broad strategic directions without specifying the precise technologies or commercial models that will ultimately succeed.

The development of quantum technologies also has potential implications for national security. Quantum computing could eventually affect encryption and cybersecurity, while quantum sensing could improve navigation, detection and other strategic capabilities. At the same time, many applications are expected to have civilian uses in areas such as telecommunications, healthcare, manufacturing and financial technology.

China’s ambitions nevertheless face significant obstacles. Quantum systems remain technologically difficult to build and operate at scale, while the sector requires highly specialized scientific expertise, sophisticated manufacturing and substantial long-term investment. International restrictions on advanced semiconductors, high-performance computing components and other critical technologies could also complicate Beijing’s efforts to establish fully domestic supply chains.

For China, the larger objective is therefore not simply to become a leader in one emerging technology. By combining quantum science with artificial intelligence, photonics, advanced materials and semiconductor development, Beijing is attempting to create an integrated technological ecosystem capable of supporting the next generation of digital infrastructure.

The strategy ultimately reflects a broader national priority: narrowing the gap between scientific discovery and industrial production. If China can successfully transform its growing quantum research base into scalable technologies and commercial applications, the sector could become an important component of its effort to strengthen technological autonomy and economic competitiveness over the next decade.