Hubei to speed up quantum tech industry development

The Wuhan Institute of Quantum Technology. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

Central China's Hubei province will double down on efforts to develop its quantum technology industries from 2023 to 2025, according to a provincial news conference on Nov 15.

Quantum technology is the province's one of nine characteristic emerging manufacturing industries. Specific goals have been set for the industry. By 2025, it will foster more than 20 leading expert teams and over 100 core researchers and establish four or more quantum sci-tech industrial parks and incubators.

The Hanyuan-1 quantum computer. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

Hubei will also cultivate and bring in a batch of specialized and sophisticated tech enterprises.

Quantum technology will be enhanced mainly from five aspects – innovative technological breakthroughs, commercialization of scientific and technical achievements, application scenario demonstrations, integrated development of industries, and aggregation of industrial talents.

This includes supporting the construction of a first-class strategic development platform for quantum technology at the Wuhan Institute of Quantum Technology, establishing a "1+X+Y" innovation platform system, and setting up a 2-billion-yuan ($278.8 million) provincial-level investment fund for the sector.

Hubei will establish a provincial-level quantum science and technology innovation project library and build a collaborative system among industry, academia, research, and testing institutions.

It will focus on crucial technological breakthroughs in five areas: quantum chips and components, quantum precision measurement, quantum secure communication, quantum computers and quantum computing services, and quantum functional materials.