China continues to take lead in quantum communication: expert

Quantum communication technology in China has outrun the world, Chinanews.com said quoting an expert at the 2017 Annual Conference on Quantum Mechanics on Aug 20.

China has achieved many "firsts" in the field of quantum communication, such as the world's first secure quantum communication line connecting Beijing and Shanghai, and the first quantum communication satellite nicknamed "Micius."

Moreover, the first quantum communication network for commercial use is expected to officially start operating in Jinan, East China's Shandong province, later this month.

"The 21st century is an era of life science and quantum science," said Zhang Yongde, a professor from the University of Science and Technology of China, at the annual conference.

The combination of quantum computing and communications can give full play to quantum mechanics and safeguard information security, the expert believes.

Quantum communication can unconditionally assure information security, said Wang Xiangbin, a professor from Tsinghua University. The hack-proof system by Chinese scientists became the first in the world to realize quantum key distribution over long distances.

At present, quantum communications has been applied in state secrecy departments, banks, and securities system, and it is predicted to have more uses, professor Zhang said.