Major breakthroughs in China's science and technology in 2021


13. China achieves quantum computational advantage in two mainstream technical routes
On Oct 25, two studies led by renowned Chinese quantum physicist Pan Jianwei, were published online in the journal Physical Review Letters and Science Bulletin.
A quantum computer prototype named "Jiuzhang 2.0" with 113 detected photons was established, achieving major breakthroughs in quantum computational speedup; "Zuchongzhi 2.1" - a 66-qubit programmable superconducting quantum computing system was also successfully designed, significantly enhancing the quantum computational advantage.
This remarkable feat makes China the first country to achieve a quantum computational advantage in two mainstream technical routes - one via photonics quantum computing technology and the other through superconducting quantum computing technology.