The world has been paying close attention to the global contest for supremacy in artificial intelligence (AI). But the separate race for quantum technology could have an even more profound impact on the geopolitical balance of power. While the US currently leads, China is narrowing the gap—fast. Quantum technology harnesses the mind-boggling mechanics of quantum…
Hong Kong’s once sprawling and diffuse network of state-backed research labs has undergone a surgical transformation – streamlined, repurposed and laser-focused on Beijing’s strategic technology ambitions. In a move emblematic of China’s broader overhaul of its national scientific apparatus, the city has dismantled underperforming labs, rebranded legacy institutions and launched three cutting-edge facilities dedicated to…
In a small shop in the eastern Chinese city of Hefei, one of the rarest pieces of technology in the world is on display. The quantum computer in the showroom of Origin, a Chinese startup, looks ready to be plucked from the shelf and fired up. Only 20 such devices are produced globally each year….
Necessary upgrades to China’s ageing urban infrastructure could see China spend upwards of 4 trillion yuan (US$551 billion) over the next five years, while technology-focused projects such as data centres and AI-related advancements are among the future-facing industries that also hold immense potential for increased investment funds, according to the country’s top economic planner. As…