As information technology advances, the exchange of massive data across networks makes safeguarding information security critical. Quantum secure calling is a service that uses quantum information technology to protect call privacy. At the quantum communication product display area of China Telecom Quantum Information Technology Group Co., Ltd. (referred to as China Telecom Quantum), staff demonstrated the entire quantum secure call process to reporters. Unlike standard mobile calls, which are vulnerable to eavesdropping and data theft, a customized terminal equipped with a quantum SIM card ensures each call undergoes quantum-safe encryption.
"When using quantum secure calls, both parties' conversations are protected by the quantum metropolitan area network. If a third party maliciously intercepts or monitors the call, they will only hear static," said Liu Zhe, Deputy General Manager of the Innovation Department at China Telecom Quantum. The company has launched a series of applications, including "Quantum + Calling," "Quantum + Cloud Network," and "Quantum + Platform," covering more than 10 industries such as law, finance, and healthcare, with over 7 million users, integrating cutting-edge quantum technology into daily life and industrial operations.
Hefei, where China Telecom Quantum is based, is one of the earliest cities in China to systematically invest in quantum technology research, development, and industrialization. A recent visit by China News Service reporters to Hefei highlighted the vitality and potential of this "Quantum Capital of China" as it strives to illuminate the future.
Beyond quantum communication, quantum technology also enables quantum computing and quantum sensing. At the Hefei Advanced Computing Center, quantum computers and supercomputers form a new paradigm of quantum-supercomputing integration, helping quantum computing move from the lab to engineering applications. "Quantum computing and classical computing are complementary. For quantum computing to become practical, it must develop synergistically with classical computing at this stage," said a project leader from Hefei Big Data Assets Operation Co., Ltd. While quantum computing offers new computation methods for specific fields, it still has vast room for growth on the path toward general and practical use.
In recent years, Hefei has actively guided the quantum technology sector from initial establishment to full bloom, cultivating a cluster of 107 quantum industry chain enterprises with total revenue exceeding 6 billion yuan. Hefei's quantum industry has ranked second globally for three consecutive years. Hefei's deep exploration of quantum technology serves as a vivid microcosm of China's quantum technology development. With breakthroughs such as the world-leading "Zuchongzhi No. 3" quantum computing prototype and the application of the "Tianyan" quantum computing cloud platform, China's quantum technology innovations are emerging continuously.
During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China maintained international leadership in quantum communication, secured a top-tier position in quantum computing, and advanced multiple directions of quantum precision measurement into the international forefront. In China's "15th Five-Year Plan" outline, quantum technology has been clearly identified as a future industry for forward-looking deployment. This indicates that quantum technology will become a key engine driving a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation.