Light-based quantum computer prototype ‘Jiuzhang 2.0’ Photo: Courtesy of University of Science and Technology of China

China is developing medium-high orbit quantum satellite, Pan Jianwei, an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences said on Saturday.

Pan, also a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and executive vice president of University of Science and Technology of China, made the remark in an interview with media on Saturday, Yicai reported.

“We are cooperating with the National Space Science Center to develop a medium-high orbit satellite. In the future, the combination of high-orbit and low-orbit satellites will build a wide-area quantum communication network,” Pan said.

Pan noted that the medium-high orbit satellite can provide higher work efficiency, as well as longer and wider quantum communication range.

During this year’s two sessions, Pan has put forward suggestions calling for a high level of scientific and technological self-reliance.

“As we enter the fierce international competition, high-end instruments and equipment materials are not easy to import. If we cannot achieve independent research and development for these devices, it is difficult for us to achieve high-level technology self-reliance,” Pan said.

It is hoped there will be further national policies aimed at encouraging and supporting state-owned enterprises to develop high-end equipment, devices and materials, Pan said.

Pan said that in the past decade, China has made great progress in science and technology to push the country to the forefront of scientific research in the world in quantum physics, quantum technology, high energy physics and astrophysics.

In the past five years, China has stepped up effort boosting self-reliance and strength  in  science  and  technology and effectively countered  external  attempts  to suppress and contain China’s development, according to the Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang at the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on Sunday.

In the past five years, China has given  full  play  to  the  role  of  higher  education  institutions  and  research institutes  and  supported  the  development  of  new  types  of  R&D  institutions. China’s spending on basic research doubling over the past five years, according to the report.

Looking into the future and the prospect of the universal quantum computing, Pan said that quantum error correction must be realized first and after that it may take 10-15 years to achieve universal quantum computing.

In near future, he expected major progress to be made in quantum chemistry, material design, and quantum simulation.