Quantum Computing in China Trends and Forecast
The future of the quantum computing market in China looks promising, with opportunities in optimization, simulation, and machine learning applications. The global quantum computing market is expected to reach an estimated $7.7 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 36.8% from 2025 to 2031. The quantum computing market in China is also forecasted to witness strong growth over the forecast period. The major drivers for this market are the growing need for high-performance computing and the rising demand for quantum computing solutions from various industries.
• Lucintel forecasts that, within the deployment category, the cloud is expected to witness higher growth over the forecast period due to its increasing usage among users, owing to its flexibility and powerful systems.
• Within the application category, optimization will remain the largest segment due to the growing use of quantum algorithms to optimize problems and solve them faster and more efficiently.
Emerging Trends in the Quantum Computing Market in China
China has emerged as one of the fastest-developing countries in the field of quantum computing, with enormous investments and advancements in research. While the government and private sector continue pushing for quantum supremacy, China has made significant progress in quantum communication, computing power, and quantum algorithms. The countries ambitious plans are driven by government policies and industry partnerships. These emerging trends demonstrate how quantum computing is strategically being integrated into key industries to enhance Chinese global technological leadership.
• Government-Led Quantum Initiatives: Chinese government is heavily investing in quantum technologies to achieve technological leadership. With initiatives such as the Quantum Communication Satellite program and the creation of national quantum laboratories, the government has set clear goals to advance quantum capabilities. This public-sector investment aims to provide an environment where quantum technologies will be integrated into national defense, communications, and other critical sectors. In this respect, China is positioning itself as a global quantum leader in terms of research and application by nurturing a strong government focus on quantum development.
• Development of Quantum Communication Infrastructure: Quantum communication has recently become one of the priority focus areas in China, particularly focusing on secure communication networks based on quantum encryption and quantum key distribution (QKD). It was recently put into operation when the country launched its first satellite for quantum communication, named Micius. Ultra-security in data transfer is a key item on the agenda of the ground-based quantum networks that China is constructing across its vast population. This quantum communication infrastructure focus is expected to revolutionize cybersecurity in China by ensuring sensitive information security at both the government and corporate levels.
• Quantum Computing Hardware Innovation: China is making great strides in developing quantum computing hardware, hoping to surpass the world’s current quantum computing capabilities. Chinese researchers have made several breakthroughs in quantum hardware, particularly in quantum bits (qubits) and superconductor-based quantum processors. Chinese investments in quantum computing hardware are likely to make the country a significant player in quantum computing power, with key players such as Alibaba DAMO Academy and Baidu involved. Quantum hardware developments will be crucial for enabling real-world applications, such as solving optimization problems and drug discovery.
• Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing Integration: The integration of quantum computing with artificial intelligence (AI) is a promising area for innovation in China. Quantum machine learning, which combines quantum algorithms with AI models, has the potential to vastly improve data processing and predictive capabilities. In China, this trend is being driven by AI startups and quantum research institutes exploring ways to enhance AI algorithms through quantum computing. The synergy between the two technologies will strengthen China’s advantages in data analytics, autonomous system development, and machine learning-related applications.
• Quantum Software and Algorithm Development: The country is developing quantum software and algorithms that harness the power of quantum computers. Researchers working on quantum languages, software packages, and simulation tools will unlock the development of applications across various industries, such as healthcare and logistics. Companies like Tencent and Huawei are focusing on the development of quantum software, making quantum computers easier to implement commercially. By advancing quantum software, China will make it practical and usable for almost every sector with its quantum solutions.
The emerging quantum trends have dramatically revolutionized China’s technological environment. With significant government investment, a focus on quantum communication, and breakthroughs in quantum hardware and software, China is positioning itself as a global leader in quantum technologies. Quantum computing will be integrated with AI, and secure communication networks will be developed, opening new avenues for innovation across industries. As these trends continue to evolve, China is poised to make transformative advances in quantum computing, further enhancing its role as a global tech powerhouse.
Recent Developments in the Quantum Computing Market in China
In recent years, China has experienced tremendous growth in the quantum computing sector, primarily due to the combination of government support, private investment, and academic research. These developments are advancing at a rapid pace, putting China at the forefront of the global quantum computing race. The emphasis on innovation and national security means that China is shaping the future of quantum technology in applications ranging from secure communications and advanced computing power to AI integration.
• National Quantum Technology Strategy: China’s government has developed a comprehensive quantum technology strategy to become a global leader in quantum. The national policy on quantum technologies focuses on investment in quantum communication, quantum computing, and quantum cryptography. This strategic framework has encouraged collaboration between the public and private sectors, spurring significant investments in quantum research. China aims to commercialize quantum technologies within an innovation-conducive ecosystem, integrating them into the national infrastructure to ensure a competitive lead in the global quantum race.
• Quantum Communication Satellites and Networks: China is leading the way in quantum communication by developing quantum communication satellites. The successful launch of the Micius satellite, which enabled long-distance secure quantum key distribution (QKD), has brought China to the forefront of quantum communication technology. The government is expanding its ground-based quantum communication networks, which will allow the secure transmission of information over large distances. This is aimed at improving China’s cybersecurity capabilities and introducing a new framework for secure communications that could be replicated worldwide.
• Quantum Supremacy Research: Achieving quantum supremacy is the essence of China’s quantum computing research. This involves solving problems that are intractable for classical computers. In this regard, China has seen breakthroughs and achievements in its quantum computing research. In quantum hardware research, China is investing heavily in superconducting qubits and photonic systems to find powerful quantum processors capable of running applications well beyond the capabilities of current classical systems. Achieving quantum supremacy will have a significant impact on fields such as cryptography, materials science, and AI.
• Industrial Applications of Quantum Computing: China’s industry is looking at quantum-level innovations that may change manufacturing, logistics, and materials science. Quantum computing can potentially solve high-resolution optimization problems and simulate molecular interactions, which could transform industries such as automotive, energy, and pharmaceuticals. For example, quantum computing could improve materials discovery for better batteries or more efficiently manage supply chains. Incorporating quantum computing into industrial applications will enhance China’s international competitiveness in various sectors.
• Education and Talent Development: Recognizing the need for more talented individuals, China has significantly invested in education and talent development in quantum technology. The country’s universities and research institutions are setting up specialized programs to train the next generation of quantum engineers and scientists. Chinese universities are actively partnering with global institutions to share knowledge and collaborate on quantum research. By developing a robust pipeline of talent, China will sustain long-term growth in quantum technology and maintain its competitive advantage in the global quantum market.
China’s major developments highlight its drive to become one of the biggest players in quantum computing globally. Through strategic national initiatives, quantum communication breakthroughs, and advancements in quantum computing, the country is significantly advancing research alongside real-world applications. By focusing on infrastructure development in quantum communication, as well as industrial and talent development, China will solidify its leadership status in quantum technology for years to come. These developments place China at the forefront of the global future of quantum computing.
Strategic Growth Opportunities for Quantum Computing Market in China
The quantum computing market in China is rapidly growing due to technological advancements, government support, and growing demand across various sectors. These advances provide strategic growth opportunities in different applications, such as cryptography, materials science, artificial intelligence, and more. China is aggressively positioning itself with investments from public and private sources to become a significant player in the global quantum computing race, further opening up a new frontier in innovation and commercial applications for the sector, as industrialization is now encouraged by the involvement of key partners.
• Secure Communication through Quantum Cryptography: China is also investing in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) under the banner of quantum cryptography to facilitate ultra-secure communication networks. The Micius Satellite was launched to achieve secure long-distance communication based on quantum technology. In China, security threats from the digital era are mounting, and quantum cryptography is being used to increase national cyber power. Quantum technology has wide applicability beyond government and military communication, helping protect financial transactions, healthcare information, and intellectual property. Quantum technology is thus a key component of the strategy that China intends to utilize for the long term.
• Drug Discovery and Materials Science: Through quantum computing, the processes of drug discovery and material science are likely to change rapidly. Quantum computers can quickly simulate complex systems of molecular structures and chemical interactions, using quantum algorithms to speed up the discovery of new drugs without the need for classical computers. This will lead to breakthroughs in various industries, including biotechnology, energy storage, and advanced materials production, boosting China’s economy and technological competitiveness in these industries.
• Optimization and Supply Chain Management: Quantum computing will solve optimization problems, benefiting supply chain and logistics management. A significant advantage for China, with its vast manufacturing base, comes from optimized inventory management, transportation routes, and production schedules. The growing complexity of global supply chains may pose unsolvable problems for classical computers, while quantum computers could reduce operational costs, enhance efficiency, and expedite production timelines. These improvements will enhance China’s manufacturing sector and help it remain competitive in the global trade arena.
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: One of the most promising growth opportunities in China’s quantum landscape is the integration of quantum computing with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Quantum computers are expected to accelerate AI and ML algorithms, enabling faster processing and more accurate predictions. Chinese scientists are investigating the application of quantum-enhanced machine learning in areas like autonomous driving, healthcare diagnostics, and financial forecasting. This approach involves processing big data and AI models using quantum computing, positioning China as the new AI superpower, and fueling advancements across numerous industries.
• Quantum Cloud Computing Services: The quantum cloud computing services developed in China present a strategic opportunity given the growing demand for quantum computing. Quantum cloud platforms, provided by companies like Alibaba and Baidu, allow users to access remote quantum computing resources. Democratizing access to quantum computing will expedite its adoption, as powerful quantum processors can be accessed by businesses and academic institutions without significant hardware investments. Quantum cloud services will provide wider testing and application development capabilities, leading to innovation and commercialization of quantum solutions across various sectors.
These strategic growth opportunities in quantum computing are redefining the technological landscape in China. From cryptography to drug discovery, AI, supply chain optimization, and quantum cloud services, China is building a strong ecosystem for quantum innovation. These opportunities not only enhance China’s competitiveness but also open new commercial applications, fueling economic growth. China is positioning itself to lead the global quantum computing market and unlock transformative technologies across multiple industries by continuing to invest in these areas.
Quantum Computing Market in China Driver and Challenges
Drivers and challenges facing the Chinese quantum computing market include factors such as technology, policies and government regulations, industry-level cooperation, and competition. The challenges in developing hardware may stem from issues concerning talent shortages and global policies. Anyone who wants to understand how quickly the quantum landscape in China is shifting must consider all of these drivers.
The factors responsible for driving the Quantum Computing market in China include:
• Government Investment and Support: The Chinese government plays a key role in driving the boom of quantum computing through massive investment and strategic approaches. It is setting aside significant funds to support quantum research and launching nationwide programs to advance quantum innovation, including establishing quantum research institutes, funding both hardware and software development, and encouraging collaboration among academia, industry, and the military. Government support will be crucial for sustaining this competitive race and establishing China as an epicenter of quantum technologies.
• Technical Quantum Hardware: Chinese overall quantum computing growth is significantly influenced by recent advancements in quantum hardware technology. To make a difference in the competitive race for quantum computer commercialization, China will need robust, scalable quantum processors. Chinese scientists are making breakthroughs in quantum bit (qubit) technology, especially with superconducting qubits and photonic-based systems. These breakthroughs will be crucial for solving problems that require quantum power, such as cryptography, material science, and optimization. Chinese companies will remain at the forefront of the global quantum computing market as they continue to innovate in quantum hardware.
• Industry Collaboration and Partnerships: Industry cooperation plays a pivotal role in driving China’s quantum computing market. Companies like Alibaba, Baidu, and Huawei, along with China’s largest technology firms, are collaborating with universities and government institutions in developing quantum technologies. The collaborative platform facilitates resource sharing, knowledge exchange, and rapid innovation. Quantum computing technologies also have room for commercialization through these collaborations. Thus, quantum computing will eventually find applications in industries such as medicine, logistics, and finance, creating a culture of cooperation that accelerates the practical application of quantum computing across various sectors.
• Global Competition and National Security Concerns: China’s push to become a leader in quantum computing is largely driven by global competition, particularly from the United States and Europe. Quantum computing has strategic implications for encryption and cybersecurity in national security. As international competitors race to achieve quantum supremacy, China is motivated to accelerate its development to safeguard its technological sovereignty and protect sensitive data. The competition is driving China’s investments in quantum research and development, ensuring it remains a dominant player in the global quantum computing ecosystem.
• Expanding Commercial Applications: The increasing commercialization of quantum computing applications is a key driver of market growth in China. The Chinese government and tech companies are actively working to integrate quantum computing into real-world applications. As quantum technologies become more practical and accessible, industries like finance, pharmaceuticals, and logistics are beginning to explore how they can use quantum computing for optimization, predictive modeling, and drug discovery. The commercialization of quantum technologies will drive demand and lead to long-term market growth and increased adoption.
Challenges in the Quantum Computing market in China are:
• Talent Shortages and Skills Gap: The biggest challenge for the quantum computing market in China is the shortage of skilled professionals. Quantum computing requires expertise in physics, computer science, and engineering, limiting the number of qualified professionals. Despite China’s efforts to develop a robust talent pipeline through educational initiatives and collaborations with international institutions, the deficit of expertise continues to hinder rapid progress. This shortage of talent could undermine the commercialization and development of quantum technology, putting China’s technological leadership at risk.
• Quantum Hardware Development Complexity: The development of quantum hardware involves significant technical challenges. Quantum systems are highly sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and electromagnetic interference, making scaling up for practical use difficult. Chinese researchers are overcoming these challenges with innovations in quantum materials, quantum error correction techniques, and hardware designs. However, the complexity of creating stable and reliable quantum processors will delay the widespread use of quantum computing. The challenge for China will be overcoming these obstacles to achieve its quantum technology goals.
• Regulatory and Geopolitical Challenges: Regulatory and geopolitical issues arise as quantum computing technology progresses. International trade barriers, intellectual property rights, and global standards for quantum encryption and communication present considerable hurdles. The geopolitical implications of quantum technology also affect China’s relationships with other countries, particularly regarding cybersecurity and defense concerns. These challenges could slow the pace of collaboration and even limit the use of China’s quantum capabilities on the global stage. How these issues are addressed will directly impact China’s future leadership in quantum computing.
The drivers and challenges affecting China’s quantum computing market highlight the complexity of the industry. While government investment, technological progress, and industry collaboration are driving growth, challenges such as talent shortages, hardware development, and international regulations remain. Whether China can sustain its lead in the global quantum computing market will depend on overcoming these obstacles. As the country continues to invest in quantum technology and address these hurdles, it is poised to lead the future of the global quantum computing market.
List of Quantum Computing Market in China Companies
Companies in the market compete based on the product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leveraging integration opportunities across the value chain. Through these strategies, quantum computing companies cater to increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. Some of the quantum computing companies profiled in this report include:
• Company 1
• Company 2
• Company 3
• Company 4
• Company 5
• Company 6
• Company 7
Quantum Computing Market in China by Segment
The study includes a forecast for the quantum computing market in China by deployment, technology, application, and end use.
Quantum Computing Market in China by Deployment [Analysis by Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• On-Premises
• Cloud
Quantum Computing Market in China by Technology [Analysis by Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Trapped Ions
• Quantum Annealing
• Superconducting Qubits
• Others
Quantum Computing Market in China by Application [Analysis by Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Optimization
• Simulation
• Machine Learning
• Others
Quantum Computing Market in China by End Use [Analysis by Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Space & Defense
• Transportation & Logistics
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
• Chemicals
• Banking & Finance
• Energy & Power
• Academia
• Government
• Others
Features of the Quantum Computing Market in China
Market Size Estimates: Quantum computing in China market size estimation in terms of value ($B).
Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends and forecasts by various segments.
Segmentation Analysis: Quantum computing in China market size by deployment, technology, application, and end use in terms of value ($B).
Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different deployments, technologies, applications, and end uses for the quantum computing in China.
Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of the quantum computing in China.
Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.
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FAQ
Q1. What are the major drivers influencing the growth of the quantum computing market in China?
Answer: The major drivers for this market are growing need for high-performance computing and rising demand for quantum computing solutions from various industries.
Q2. What are the major segments for quantum computing market in China?
Answer: The future of the quantum computing market in China looks promising with opportunities in the optimization, simulation, and machine learning applications.
Q3. Which quantum computing market segment in China will be the largest in future?
Answer: Lucintel forecasts that cloud is expected to witness the higher growth over the forecast period due to its growing usage among users given to its flexibility and powerful systems.
Q4. Do we receive customization in this report?
Answer: Yes, Lucintel provides 10% customization without any additional cost.
This report answers following 10 key questions:
Q.1. What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the quantum computing market in China by deployment (on-premises and cloud), technology (trapped ions, quantum annealing, superconducting qubits, and others), application (optimization, simulation, machine learning, and others), and end use (space & defense, transportation & logistics, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, chemicals, banking & finance, energy & power, academia, government, and others)?
Q.2. Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.3. What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the key challenges and business risks in this market?
Q.4. What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?
Q.5. What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?
Q.6. What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?
Q.7. What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?
Q.8. Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are key players pursuing for business growth?
Q.9. What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by material or product substitution?
Q.10. What M&A activity has occurred in the last 5 years and what has its impact been on the industry?
For any questions related to Quantum Computing Market in China, Quantum Computing Market in China Size, Quantum Computing Market in China Growth, Quantum Computing Market in China Analysis, Quantum Computing Market in China Report, Quantum Computing Market in China Share, Quantum Computing Market in China Trends, Quantum Computing Market in China Forecast, Quantum Computing Companies, write Lucintel analyst at email: helpdesk@lucintel.com. We will be glad to get back to you soon.