Core Insights - Quantum computing has become a strategic focus in the global technology competition, with significant investments and initiatives from major countries including the US, EU, and China [1][2][3] Group 1: National Strategies - Major global powers view quantum computing as a critical area for future industrial competition, establishing dedicated plans and investing substantial funds [2] - The US has committed over $6 billion from 2019 to 2025 through the National Quantum Initiative, with nearly $1 billion budgeted for the fiscal year 2025 [2] - The EU aims to enhance its autonomous capabilities in quantum technology through its 2025 strategy, while China emphasizes quantum technology as a key development direction in its 2025 government work report [3] Group 2: Research Output - Global research output in quantum computing has surged from over 1,000 papers in 2015 to over 5,000 in 2024, a nearly fivefold increase, with the US and China leading [4] - China ranks second globally in publication volume but has lower citation rates compared to Canada, the US, and Germany, indicating room for improvement in research quality and international impact [4] Group 3: Patent Activity - Over the past decade, more than 19,000 quantum computing patents have been filed globally, with the US accounting for 49.34% and China for 24.36%, indicating significant progress in original technology and commercialization [5] Group 4: Technological Routes - Various technological routes in quantum hardware are being explored, including superconducting, ion trap, neutral atom, photonic, silicon semiconductor, and topological approaches, each with its own advantages and challenges [8] - China maintains a global lead in superconducting technology, exemplified by the development of the "Zuchongzhi 3" chip, which outperforms supercomputers in specific tasks [8][9] Group 5: Industry Development - The quantum computing industry is rapidly maturing, with over 400 companies globally as of August 2025, including 107 in the US and 42 in China [11] - Investment in quantum computing exceeded $2 billion in the first half of 2025, with the US leading in funding, while China benefits from government and industry fund support [11] Group 6: Application Exploration - Quantum computing applications are in early stages but show accelerating trends in sectors like finance, biomedicine, energy, and chemicals, with potential advantages in optimization and simulation tasks [13] - Quantum computing cloud platforms are emerging as key enablers for industrialization, with China's "Tianyan" platform attracting users from over 60 countries [13] Group 7: Future Outlook - The global competition in quantum computing is expected to intensify, with China showing potential breakthroughs in superconducting and photonic technologies [14] - Despite leading in publication and patent numbers, challenges remain in research quality, industrialization, and ecosystem collaboration, necessitating continued efforts in foundational research and application promotion [14]