China has achieved a major computing breakthrough by developing a new optical quantum chip capable of accelerating complex problem-solving by more than 1,000 times, enhancing its capabilities in artificial intelligence and supercomputing while entering it into strong competition with the West.
Article contents:
- China’s optical computing revolution
- The new optical quantum chip
- How do optical chips work and what are their advantages?
- Manufacturing and integration innovations
- Mass production and global competition
- Frequently asked questions
China’s optical computing revolution
Amid the heated global race to develop the next generation of computing technologies, China has announced a massive leap in its computing power. This progress is driven by a novel innovation in optical quantum chips, an emerging technology that uses light instead of electricity to process information. This achievement not only bolsters China’s capabilities in vital areas like artificial intelligence and supercomputing, but also positions it as a major contender in the advanced technology arena traditionally dominated by Europe and the United States, signaling a shift in the global technological balance of power.
The new optical quantum chip
The new optical quantum chip made headlines after winning the “Pioneering Technology Award” at the 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit last week. The chip was jointly developed by the Chip Hub for Integrated Photonics Xplore (CHIPX) institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Turing Quantum, a high-tech startup in Shanghai. The chip aims to enhance the efficiency of AI data centers and supercomputers. According to its developers, the chip is already being used in industries such as aerospace, biomedicine, and finance, providing “computing power support that transcends the limits of classical computers” and opening the door to solving problems previously considered impossible.
How do optical chips work and what are their advantages?
Optical chips, also known as photonic integrated circuits, use particles of light (photons) instead of electricity (electrons) to process and transmit information. By utilizing different properties of light, such as its color, timing, and distribution, optical chips can process data much more effectively. These chips are faster, consume less power, and are more efficient compared to traditional electronic chips. These advantages are crucial for handling the massive data demands of training large AI models, running massive cloud networks, and enabling secure quantum communications.
Manufacturing and integration innovations
The new optical chips are distinguished by their remarkably high density, housing more than 1,000 optical components on a tiny 6-inch (15 cm) silicon wafer. This level of miniaturization, termed monolithic integration, is considered world-class. The chips also feature high performance in vital areas such as data transmission and bandwidth. Most importantly, their design allows them to scale easily to support one million qubits (quantum information units) for quantum computing. Jin Xianmin, a physics professor and founder of Turing Quantum, said: “Achieving chip-level integration and chip-level mass production of optical quantum chips—I believe this is the first of its kind in the world.”
Mass production and global competition
Manufacturing such chips has long posed a significant challenge due to the delicate nature of the materials used. However, in June, the CHIPX institute launched China’s first pilot production line for 6-inch thin-film lithium niobate photonic chips, with a production capacity of up to 12,000 wafers annually. This launch marks China’s official entry into a field previously dominated by European and American manufacturers. China is competing with companies such as the Netherlands’ SMART Photonics and California’s PsiQuantum. The CHIPX institute aims to increase production process stability, raise yields, and eventually expand manufacturing to 8-inch wafers to boost its competitiveness.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What are optical quantum chips?
A: They are integrated circuits that use light particles (photons) instead of electricity to process and transmit information, and are essential for developing quantum computing and ultra-fast communications.
Q: What are the advantages of using light in computing?
A: Using light provides much higher speeds, lower energy consumption, and greater data processing efficiency compared to traditional electronic chips.
Q: What is the significance of this Chinese achievement?
A: This achievement represents a major leap in China’s computing capabilities, enhances its competitiveness in artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and reduces its reliance on Western technology in this vital field.
