China∩Quantum Brief [2025 Aug 21]
New funding rounds, listed companies report results, four new standards and local goverment initiatives in Beijing and Sichuan
A concise roundup of some notable news in China’s quantum tech sector from the end of July to August 21, 2025, including many developments that are barely reported in English media.
This is the first China∩Quantum Brief. I am thinking of doing these roughly once a month. Let me know what I missed and how this could be more useful for you!
The first section (1) links the latest funding rounds of Chinese quantum computing start-ups in neutral atoms, photonics, and superconducting/spin qubits. QuantumCTek also reported its results for the first half of 2025.
On the policy side (2), there are quantum standards updates and a flurry of initiatives by the Beijing and Sichuan local governments.
Finally (3), the widely reported neutral atom record by a USTC-Shanghai AI Lab collab.
(1) Industry Updates
[Funding round, Jul 23] CAS Cold Atoms (中科酷原) raises “tens of millions” CNY in strategic financing.
Wuhan-based, working on neutral atom quantum computing (Hanyuan-1, 100+ qubits)
Investors (I think besides Richinfo all are local government): XinGuang Quantum Fund (芯光量子基金), Guanggu Angel Fund (光谷天使基金), Hubei Science and Technology Investment Angel Fund (湖北科投天使基金), Richinfo (彩讯股份)
[This seems to have nothing to do with the widely reported neutral atoms record by the USTC-Shanghai AI Lab collab, see (3) below.]
[Funding round, Jul 22] TuringQ (图灵量子) raised 100 million CNY in its fifth round of financing and signed orders worth 100 million CNY in the first half of 2025
Shanghai-based, working on photonic quantum computing, DV (discrete variable), I think. Full stack, including algorithms (especially AI-related)
Round led by Prosperity Investment (盛世投资), fund-of-funds and government-guided funds management
TuringQ’s funding rounds. All raising either 100 million or several hundred million CNY.
[Funding round, Jul 22] SpinQ (量旋科技) completed Series B, raising “several hundred million” CNY.
Shenzhen-based, working on NMR quantum computers for education purposes and full-stack superconducting quantum computing
Currently developing a 100-qubit superconducting chip, successfully exported a (smaller?) superconducting chip overseas (Middle East, I think, UAE)
Investors: Jianxin Equity (建信股权, central gov.), Liangxi Science and Technology City Development Fund (梁溪科技城发展基金, local gov.), Xingkong Investment / StarSky Capital (星空投资, private), Huaqiang Capital (华强资本, private), Jiusong Fund (九颂基金, private)
Claims that “currently, the company's products and services have reached over 200 universities, enterprises, and research institutions in more than 40 countries and regions.” I assume mostly referring to its education products. You can add the Philippines to the map below, which acquired its first quantum computer (2-qubit Gemini NMR, ~50k USD) from SpinQ recently. (The desktop-size educational device was showcased at the great QISTCon.ph conference in Cebu City, where I had the pleasure of playing around with it.)
[Product update, Aug 07] QBoson (玻色量子) unveiled Quantum Boltzmann Machine and an open-source programming kit.
Beijing-based, developing photonic quantum computers. They seem focused on specialized applications, especially AI, rather than building a universal photonic quantum computer
(A Boltzmann machine is just a specific neural network; I guess QBoson’s Quantum Boltzmann Machine implements this concept on quantum hardware)
[Product update, Aug 11] Unitary Quantum (幺正量子) completed the assembly and commissioning of China's first 4K low-temperature QCCD chip-type ion trap quantum computing system
I guess this is a similar approach to the one Quantinuum is pursuing
Hefei-based, working on trapped ion quantum computing
Listed Quantum companies
QuantumCTek (国盾量子) reports H1 2025: This is probably China’s most important quantum company.1 The publicly listed (Shanghai STAR Market) quantum company is a core part of China’s quantum “national team” (国家队). It reported a revenue of 121.37 million CNY (74.54% YoY) with a net loss of 23.79 million CNY and R&D expenses of 55.17 million CNY (first half of 2025). For comparison, that is a bit less than IonQ’s revenue for a single quarter but significantly more than Rigetti or D-Wave.
It was interesting to me that quantum computing (rather than only QKD sales) contributed significantly to QuantumCTek’s revenue, 55.96 million CNY (283.92% YoY). The company will export a 25-qubit superconducting quantum computer abroad2 and is installing platforms with 100s of qubits domestically.
Quantum communications-related revenue was 51.73 million CNY (28.10% YoY), including for QKD, quantum satellite ground stations and QRNG.
Quantum measurement-related revenue was 8.57 million CNY (13.75% YoY), with this vertical including cold atoms gravimeters (2 delivered to customers) and single photon imaging prototypes.
I was surprised how small the company’s R&D team is (if compared to other leading Chinese quantum start-ups like CIQTEK, especially the PhD count): 13 PhD, 76 master, 132 undergraduate and 3 with college degree. This is “collaborative innovation between industry, academia, research and application” (产学研用协同创新) in action, with much of the original IP coming from the large quantum research groups associated with the company at USTC. QuantumCTek itself is probably just the tip of the iceberg, productizing and distributing this IP.
Since the beginning of 2025, ChinaTelecom3 is the controlling shareholder.
Kyushu Quantum (九州量子) is asked uncomfortable questions: There is a lot of controversy surrounding Kyushu Quantum. Founded quite early in 2012, listed4 at NEEQ in 2016, at some point reaching nearly 30 billion CNY in valuation—mostly erased after significant reputational damage from a spat with QuantumCTek (that involved criminal charges) and a collapsed partnership with ID Quantique. I mention it here because of a revealing recent inquiry letter from NEEQ into its 2024 annual report. It raises concerns about the company’s continued capacity to operate after a revenue collapse of nearly 75% (down to 13.75 million CNY), a layoff of 89 people (down to 49, with 29 R&D personnel), high dependency on a few large customers and questions about finances and inventory. Sad.
(2) Quantum Policy News
National
[Standards, Jul 29-30] The third centralized meeting of the Quantum Information Standards Working Group (TC 28/WG 34) of the National Information Technology Standardization Technical Committee, 62 representatives from 25 units, four main meetings:
Basic Special Topic Group: Discussed the quantum information standardization roadmap and post-quantum cryptography research from China Mobile Internet (中移互联网).
Technology Special Topic Group: Discussed quantum computing software standards and reviewed proposals on error mitigation and hybrid computing from the Information Engineering University (信息工程大学) and China Mobile (Suzhou) Software Technology (中移（苏州）软件技术).
Application Special Topic Group: Explored application paths and standardization for quantum technology in AI and other vertical industries.
Product Special Topic Group: Discussed the quantum product ecosystem and reviewed hardware standard proposals like quantum low-temperature devices, chip packaging boxes, chip production lines, computer purification systems and others proposed by Chengdu ZWDX Technology (成都中微达信科技), AVIC Jonhon Optronic Technology (中航光电科技), and the CETC 2nd & 33rd Research Institutes (中国电子科技集团公司第二研究所、第三十三研究所).
[Standards, Aug 01] Four recommended quantum standards5 (call for comments by SAC/TC 578, a national committee on quantum computing and measurement standards):
Performance test of quantum computing system
Quantum computing service platform—Part 1: Architecture and functional requirements
Quantum computing service platform—Part 2: Performance evaluation
Ultra-low temperature and Ultra-low noise platform for superconducting quantum computing
Local
Beijing Quantum Industry Ecological Innovation Conference and the Sixth Plenary Session of the Quantum Information Network Industry Alliance—A lot of jargon and stuff being announced, but here are my and my LLM’s main takeaways:
Quantum Information Network Industry Alliance (量子信息网络产业联盟, QIIA) has now more than 100 members—Yay! (I think this is the closest thing to the US QED-C and EU QuIC there is in China; it’s initiated by CAICT of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology)
Four major innovation platforms announced:
Quantum-AI Collaborative Innovation Consortium (量子-AI协同创新联合体): A group led by the CETC Electronic Science Research Institute to develop novel algorithms that merge quantum computing and AI for applications in finance, transportation, and materials science.
Beijing Quantum Computing Industry Innovation Center (北京量子计算产业创新中心): Focused on building the software and application ecosystem. It will develop a multi-platform quantum software stack, create a quantum-classical hybrid cloud platform for computing power, and drive the application of quantum computing in sectors like biomedicine and finance.
Quantum Information Patent Pool (量子信息专利池): An initiative to centralize core patents from top research institutions and companies. The goal is to streamline licensing, lower R&D costs for businesses, and accelerate the conversion of research into commercial products.
"Quantum Constellation" New Quality Industry Ecosystem Community ('量子星座'新质产业生态社区): A physical and virtual hub located in the Tongming Lake area. It aims to bring together researchers, developers, and industry pioneers to support the entire innovation chain, from basic research and incubation to full-scale industrial application.
Representative Beijing-based quantum enterprises that attended: Huayi Quantum (华翊量子; trapped ion quantum computing), ArcLight Quantum (弧光量子 / 中科弧光; quantum computing software), Liangyi Wanxiang (两仪万象; neutral atom quantum computing), QBoson (玻色量子; photonic quantum computing), Coherent (相干科技; superconducting quantum computing)
Lots of quantum-specific policy support measures (government-guided fund, talent plan, start-up incubation plan)6
Sichuan Quantum Technology Industry Breakthrough Development Action Plan announced during a CCF conference in Chengdu. According to the local news report:
Subsidies, special bonds, and guidance funds: Quantum technology projects are now eligible for major funding programs that offer subsidies of up to 30% (max 10 million CNY) or 40% (max 20 million CNY). Furthermore, Sichuan has included quantum technology within the scope of local government special bonds (地方政府专项债) to accelerate the growth of quantum enterprises and the construction of quantum industrial parks. The province will also use its industrial investment guidance funds to encourage more market-driven investment in the sector.
The plan, led by the local dept. for economy and information technology (interestingly not the local science and tech dept. as the main driver), aims to make Sichuan a national pilot zone for quantum innovation by 2030.7
Building on existing infrastructure and breakthroughs: "Chengdu-Chongqing trunk line" (成渝干线) quantum communication backbone network, the Chengdu metropolitan network, a commercial quantum satellite ground station and breakthroughs in quantum clocks, quantum magnetometers, quantum gravimeters, quantum radars, and quantum inertial navigation systems.
Building on the strengths of key local enterprises such as Chengdu ZWDX Technology (中微达信), ChinaNetSec (中国网安), Tian-ao Electronics (天奥电子), and others.
The plan calls for a provincial manufacturing innovation centre and a provincial quantum technology industry association to consolidate resources and collaboration.
(3) Technical Highlights
This section only contains one reference, mostly because without diving into the details (for which I don’t have time), I don’t feel comfortable being the one judging which ones of the many daily quantum papers deserve a mention.
Control system for 2024 neutral atoms, global record with reported fidelities competitive with Harvard/QuEra (PRL paper/ArXiv preprint; English news report). The USTC-Shanghai8 AI Lab collab overcomes a bottleneck in scaling neutral atom quantum computers, basically leveraging AI to quickly (60ms) assemble two thousand qubits. Impressive technical achievement that has been widely reported internationally. I am not an expert on this and haven’t talked to one—so let me just say that while this seems to be a very important step towards large-scale quantum computing with neutral atoms, there are caveats as always. For example, there are remaining constraints in the 3D arrangement of atoms. Of course, there are also many more steps beyond the initialisation (this work) of an atom array to do error correction and useful quantum computations on these 2000+ qubits.
Interesting reads
Interesting reads across which I stumbled, in addition to the news updates above.
I enjoyed reading this news report about Changsha’s9 nascent quantum ecosystem. A short article that talks about the progress to date and plans for the local Quantum R&D Centre. What I liked about it is that it makes abstract jargon10 more tangible thanks to the specific examples. Also, before, I knew next to nothing about quantum in Changsha.
It is the company spun out from PAN Jianwei’s group, the research “group” behind the Micius and Jinan-1 satellites, Zuchongzhi superconducting quantum computers (which made news through its Google Willow-rivalling performance; it is commercialized by QuantumCTek), the photonic Jiuzhang quantum advantage experiment (although this one seems to be spun out in a separate company), as well as the recent neutral atoms breakthrough (see section (3); however, as for photonic quantum computing, this does not appear to be commercialized through QuantumCTek). QuantumCTek is also one of the main companies behind China’s national QKD backbone network and is important in China’s self-sufficiency drive for quantum tech (control equipment for superconducting quantum computing, dilution refrigerators, etc.). It was among the first batch of Chinese quantum entities added in 2021 to the US entity list.
It is not said where. (Russia?)
China Telecom has previously created a quantum group with 3 billion CNY in capitalization, invested 1.775 billion CNY into QuantumCTek and reportedly aims to invest more than 10 billion CNY in quantum tech industrialization. It has launched various quantum encryption-related end-user products, claiming millions of users.
Which is actually earlier than QuantumCTek. Still, QuantumCTek is often referred to as the “first publicly listed” Chinese quantum company; I guess it was the first to IPO (?)
The link seems to use geoblocking (inaccessible from outside of China), for a nasty workaround use this link.
To give you a taste: In 2025, Beijing Economic Development Zone will take the lead in introducing the city's first special policy - "Quantum Ten", pioneering the "Growth Partnership Plan" service mechanism, promoting the construction of a "quantum constellation" ecological community, setting up a "future industry pilot fund", and systematically building a quantum technology industry support service system. Through the implementation of the "Wenqu Star" plan, we will build a talent ladder guarantee and gather the top talent teams in the field of quantum technology. Implement the "Daystar" plan, set up an entrepreneurial incubation platform, and incubate the most potential innovative enterprises in the field of quantum technology; Implement the "Polaris" plan, cultivate and expand patient capital, and support the most dazzling star enterprises in the field of quantum technology. (2025年，北京经开区率先出台全市首个专项政策——“量子十条”，首创“成长伙伴计划”服务机制，推动建设“量子星座”生态社区，设立“未来产业先导基金”，系统构筑量子科技产业支持服务体系。通过实施“文曲星”计划，构建人才阶梯保障，汇聚量子科技领域最顶尖的人才团队;实施“启明星”计划，设立创业孵化平台，孵化量子科技领域最具潜力的创新企业;实施“北极星”计划，培育壮大耐心资本，托举量子科技领域最耀眼的明星企业。)
With the strategic goal of "one pole, three highlands" (一极三高地)
PAN Jianwei, LU Chaoyang (USTC) and ZHONG Hansen (Shanghai AI Lab); 18 authors total
Capital of Hunan province. Heard it has great night markets and a vibrant city centre. Now I have another reason to visit in the future.
“optimize the business environment”, “industrial cluster”, “XXX development zone”, “R&D + pilot production + transformation”