“我们可能只领先中国几纳秒，这是真正的竞赛”

Core Insights - The global competition in quantum computing is intensifying, with China rapidly closing the gap with the United States, potentially leading to a situation where the U.S. may only be ahead by "a few nanoseconds" [1][2] - John Martinis, a prominent figure in quantum computing, emphasizes the competitiveness of China's advancements in the field, indicating that Western researchers are concerned about the genuine race between the two nations [1][2] Investment and Strategic Focus - The U.S. government, while currently focused on artificial intelligence, is beginning to shift its attention towards the challenges posed by quantum computing [2] - China has strategically prioritized quantum technology development since the "13th Five-Year Plan" (2016-2020) and has included it in the "14th Five-Year Plan" (2021-2025) as one of the seven key areas for technological advancement [5] Technological Advancements - China's latest generation of optical quantum computer, Jiuzhang 4, has achieved control over 3,050 photons, significantly outperforming traditional computers in specific tasks [5] - The potential applications of quantum computing span various fields, including medicine, finance, artificial intelligence, and military, with implications for existing encryption systems [4] Funding and Investment Disparities - China leads the world in public funding for quantum technology, with an investment of $15.3 billion, which is eight times that of the U.S. government's investment of $1.9 billion and double that of the European Union's total investment of $7.2 billion [5] - A report by LexisNexis suggests that China could surpass the U.S. in quantum computing patents as early as 2027, indicating a significant shift in technological capabilities [5][6] Future Outlook - Experts predict that Chinese research institutions will play a crucial role in the development of quantum technologies in the coming years, similar to the technological transformations seen in the electric vehicle sector [6]