China Telecom scores big in quantum sector

Industrial giant integrates cutting-edge technology into cryptography system

China has ushered in a new era of cybersecurity with the world's first commercially ready cryptography system that integrates quantum key distribution and post-quantum cryptography, marking a groundbreaking leap in defending against next-generation quantum computing threats.

In a landmark demonstration, China Telecom Quantum Group, which has developed the cryptography system, said it has successfully conducted a cross-province quantum-encrypted voice call spanning over 1,000 kilometers, showcasing the system's stability and real-world viability. This milestone underscores China's leadership in transitioning quantum-resistant technologies from labs to commercial applications.

Peng Chengzhi, chief quantum scientist at China Telecom Quantum Group, a unit of telecom carrier China Telecom, said the global development of quantum computing poses severe challenges to information security based on public-key cryptography, necessitating accelerated efforts to build new quantum-resistant information security infrastructure.