A leading Chinese policy research institute has called on Beijing to take a more proactive role in the global race for quantum technology leadership, warning that competition in this frontier field is accelerating and increasingly tied to national security and economic resilience.
In a new policy brief released this week, the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) said that quantum computing, communication, and sensing technologies have reached a stage where global coordination and international partnerships will determine the pace of breakthroughs. The think tank urged the government to strengthen research funding, accelerate commercialization, and diversify cooperation with overseas institutions to avoid technological isolation.
“China must not only maintain its current research advantage but also expand global influence through open collaboration,” the CICIR report stated, according to SCMP. It recommended that Beijing broaden partnerships beyond traditional allies, engage in joint research programs with universities and laboratories in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, and build secure yet transparent technology standards that promote interoperability.
Analysts quoted by Nikkei Asia said the report reflects growing awareness in Beijing that the next phase of technological competition will depend as much on international credibility and partnerships as on domestic innovation capacity. The document also suggested that China’s quantum strategy should integrate academic research with commercial applications, particularly in communications security, logistics, and advanced materials.
The report emphasized that sustained state support remains crucial. It proposed expanding national laboratories focused on quantum cryptography and scaling up cooperation between leading Chinese universities and private firms developing quantum-enabled data centers. The think tank also advised improving intellectual property protection and regulatory mechanisms to attract global talent and joint venture investment.
CICIR researchers said quantum technology development should be aligned with the broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Digital Silk Road agendas, which aim to foster cross-border scientific collaboration and data connectivity. “To achieve global leadership, China must balance openness with security and integrate quantum innovation into international cooperation frameworks,” the report concluded.
The recommendations coincide with renewed efforts by other major economies, including the United States, Japan, and the European Union, to expand funding for quantum research, highlighting the technology’s growing strategic significance.
