context: Quantum tech is a hot topic following a Politburo study session. It is one of the few frontier tech areas where China does not rely on imports, argue domestic commentators. More support is likely on the way, given China's 2030 'megaproject'.
Quantum R&D remains in its early stages, argue several commentators, noting Beijing and Hebei research groups are not far behind their foreign peers. Despite market hype, fund managers struggle to assess the value of quantum tech firms, they told China Securities Journal. Areas of discussion include
- international exchange and indigenous innovation
- competition should focus on industrial development, leaving research unaffected, argues Xue Qikun 薛其坤 Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences director
- develop quantum research equipment independently, suggests Han Zhengfu 韩正甫 University of Science and Technology, warning high-precision research equipment still relies on imports
- state and business investment
- set up cross-disciplinary labs co-developed by industry and academia, says Yu Haifeng 于海峰 Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences, building on the success of Google and IBM in bringing research to the engineering and commercial stages
- research silos must be broken, adds Han, given the emerging signs of 'overhype'
- future development must be application-driven and industry-sponsored, argues Guo Guoping 郭国平 University of Science and Technology, citing IBM's building of an industry alliance also involving users
- state investment should be targeted, adds Guo, noting the state is already among the top ten financiers
- promote the use of domestic quantum programming languages and operating systems, especially in universities, says Guo, as user habits are hard to change once developed
- small enterprises that cater to key users are key to technology growth nationwide, notes Han, arguing for a better ecosystem
- set up cross-disciplinary labs co-developed by industry and academia, says Yu Haifeng 于海峰 Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences, building on the success of Google and IBM in bringing research to the engineering and commercial stages
- talent
- cultivate research coordinators as well as courageous and conscientious young talent, recommends Yu