Insider Brief
- China has expanded its quantum communication network into the southern hemisphere, linking Beijing and South Africa via a satellite-enabled quantum key distribution system.
- The Mozi satellite, part of China’s Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS) program, has previously established secure communication links with Austria and Russia.
- China aims to build a global quantum satellite constellation by 2027 to create an ultra-secure communication network resistant to cyber threats.
- Image: A model at Anhui Innovation Centre displaying the space-based quantum technology China has used to establish ultra-secure communication. (Xinhua, China State Media)
China has expanded its quantum communication network into the southern hemisphere for the first time, linking Beijing and South Africa using a satellite-enabled quantum key distribution (QKD) system, according to the South China Morning Post. The achievement marks another step toward building a global, ultra-secure communication network, with potential applications in finance, national security, and critical infrastructure.
The announcement was made by Yin Juan, a professor at the University of Science and Technology of China and deputy to the National People’s Congress (NPC), during the NPC’s annual plenary meeting in Beijing. The demonstration, spanning 12,800 kilometers (7,954 miles), relied on China’s advanced quantum communication satellites.
“It is also the first time this kind of secure quantum key distribution experiment has been implemented in the southern hemisphere,” said Yin, who was instrumental in the development of China’s first quantum communication satellite, Mozi — also known as Micius, as reported by SCMP.
Building a Quantum Satellite Network
China has been developing satellite-based QKD technology through its Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS) program, which launched Mozi in 2016, reports The Quantum Insider. The satellite has been used to establish multiple secure communication links, demonstrating how space-based QKD can enable ultra-secure, long-distance transmissions.
Some key milestones include:
- China-Austria Link (2017): Mozi facilitated a secure quantum communication channel between China and Austria, covering approximately 7,600 kilometers. This enabled the world’s first intercontinental quantum-encrypted video call.
- China-Russia Link: China has used Mozi and its network of ground stations to establish secure communication channels with Russia.
- Beijing-South Africa Link (2024): The latest demonstration extends quantum-secure communication to the southern hemisphere, bringing China closer to a global quantum communication network.
China aims to build a quantum satellite constellation to create a fully operational, ultra-secure communication network by 2027. According to leading physicist Pan Jianwei, one of the key researchers behind Mozi, the goal is to establish an intercontinental QKD service that connects major economies and strategic partners, including BRICS nations, SCMP reports.
How Quantum Key Distribution Works
Quantum communication relies on the principles of quantum mechanics to secure information transfer. The key technology at the heart of these developments is quantum key distribution (QKD), which allows two parties to share encryption keys in a way that makes eavesdropping detectable. If an unauthorized party tries to intercept the transmission, the quantum state of the key is disturbed, alerting users to a potential security breach.
QKD technology has the potential to revolutionize secure communications, protecting sensitive information from cyber threats, including future attacks by quantum computers that could break traditional encryption methods.
China’s Strategic Quantum Push
China has made quantum technology a national priority, with government-backed efforts to accelerate research and deployment. A draft economic and social development plan from China’s National Development and Reform Commission highlights quantum communication as a key sector for investment.
Yin emphasized that competition in quantum information technology is “essentially a game of national comprehensive scientific and technological strength.” During her NPC address, she recommended policies to attract top talent, expand investment in applied quantum technology, and promote international cooperation in quantum research.
China intends to leverage its growing quantum satellite network to establish secure communications within the BRICS bloc—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Establishing international quantum standards could also help China shape the future of global quantum communication infrastructure.
While QKD offers promise for securing sensitive data, challenges remain in scaling up the technology. Cost, satellite coverage, and integration with existing communication infrastructure are key hurdles.
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