Insider Brief
- China has unveiled its most advanced quantum computer, the “Tianyan-504,” featuring a 504-qubit chip named “Xiaohong,” developed in partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and QuantumCTek.
- The “Tianyan-504” sets a new domestic record, surpassing the 500-qubit threshold and rivaling international platforms like IBM in key performance metrics such as qubit lifetime and readout fidelity.
- The quantum computer will be integrated into China Telecom’s “Tianyan” quantum cloud platform, launched in 2023, to provide global access to quantum computing capabilities.
China unveiled its most advanced quantum computer to date on Thursday, marking cutting another notch in the nation’s push to lead the global race in quantum computing, according to a statement from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which appears to reflect preliminary information from the Xinhua News Agency, the official state news agency of the People’s Republic of China.
CAS’s announcement appears to build on news of the delivery of the chip earlier this spring.
The “Tianyan-504,” equipped with a 504-qubit chip named “Xiaohong,” was launched by the China Telecom Quantum Group (CTQG) in partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and QuantumCTek Co., Ltd., the statement reports.
The development of the “Tianyan-504” sets a new domestic record, surpassing the 500-qubit threshold—a measure of the computer’s capacity to process quantum information, according to the statement. Quantum computers, unlike traditional computers, use quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist in multiple probabilistic states that theoretically allows them to tackle certain task faster than their classical counterparts. This could allow them, for example, the capabilities to outperform classical machines in certain calculations required for tasks, such as cryptography, material simulation and optimization problems.
CTQG, which spearheaded the project, claimed that the Xiaohong chip rivals international competitors like IBM in key performance metrics, including qubit lifetime (how long a qubit can hold its quantum state) and readout fidelity (accuracy in extracting information from qubits). Although no link was provided in the statement to research that would verify these claims. These benchmarks are critical for reliable and scalable quantum computing.
China’s Quantum Legacy
For historical perspective, China’s scientists announced in 2020 that a team at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), led by Pan Jianwei, unveiled the “Jiuzhang” quantum computer prototype, which detected up to 76 photons. This achievement marked China’s first real milestone in reaching quantum computational advantage, a term for demonstrating quantum supremacy through unmatched computational speed. In 2021, the USTC team advanced their photonic research with “Jiuzhang 2.0,” detecting 113 photons, and expanded their focus to superconducting quantum computing with the 66-qubit “Zuchongzhi 2.1,” a programmable superconducting quantum computer. These devices highlighted China’s dual-track research agenda, exploring quantum computational advantage in both photonics and superconducting quantum computing technologies.
According to CAS, the new quantum computer will integrate with China Telecom’s “Tianyan” quantum cloud platform, launched in November 2023, which the academy writes has already attracted over 12 million visits from users in more than 50 countries. The platform aims to make quantum computing accessible worldwide, offering researchers and businesses an opportunity to explore its applications without the need for costly hardware investments.
Institutions Involved
CTQG, a subsidiary of China Telecom established in May 2023, has its headquarters in Hefei, Anhui Province — a region recognized as a hub for quantum technology. China Telecom invested about 3 billion yuan, or around $430 Million (US) to establish CTQC. The group collaborates closely with the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, one of the country’s leading research institutions in the field. QuantumCTek, also based in Anhui, is a prominent private player in quantum technology, known for its expertise in quantum communication and computing solutions.
It’s important to note that the specifications of these devices have not been independently verified, as yet. Xinhau and other Chinese media sources are heavily monitored by Chinese authorities.
