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The Centre for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), a U.S. think tank, has warned that the United States might fall behind China in quantum technology despite moving to block Chinese access to American innovations. Given the emerging military application of such technology, this is a genuine wake-up call if the claims are true.
This claim, as reported by The South China Morning Post (SCMP), is based on a CSIS study published Thursday, February 15, that states that the U.S. Department of Commerce's legislation, finalized in September 2023, states that funding and chips for quantum technology cannot be provided to "countries of concern."
See Also Related“This policy, though minor, could [indicate] the department’s future desire to prevent quantum technology inputs from reaching China in a way that mirrors semiconductor export controls,” said the document titled Optimising US Export Controls for Critical and Emerging Technologies.
According to the paper, this "guardrail" falls under the 2022 Chips and Science Act and indicates that more actions are forthcoming. Quantum technology studies subatomic particles, exploring their behavior to create a quantum computer that can perform many calculations simultaneously.
The think tank’s study suggests that as technology matures, it can enhance sensing, navigation, data security, and computing power and threaten military and digital security systems.
In 2020, the US imposed sanctions that affected China's access to advanced semiconductor tools and AI processors. 2020, China invested US$15.3 billion in quantum technology research, compared to the US's US$3.7 billion, following President Xi Jinping'semphasis on its strategic value.
The study noted that China has an advantage in some quantum materials and low-priced components to support the technology. China has prioritized quantum technology in its 2021-25 development plan.
According to the paper, SCMPreports, China has also implemented policies prioritizing quantum technology development. It also stated that quantum technology is now at the forefront of national security, and US officials should strengthen European relations.
“The United States should, therefore, keep a constant dialogue with these nations and firms to build capacity and coordinate possible future export curbs once the technology is more established,” the paper added.
According to the report, the Biden administration began restricting access to quantum technologies in a 2022 executive order focused on national security and countries of concern. Washington is concerned that encryption done by normal computers could be circumvented by other countries gaining an edge.
“Targeted outbound-investment curbs, teed up in the Biden administration’s executive order … should be used sparingly so that they do not strangle a US and allied quantum industry that may well already be behind China in at least some areas,” the paper advised.
SCMPreports that Ker Gibbs, former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and a current executive in residence at the University of San Francisco, has pointed out that quantum technology could become a significant issue as long as the US and China continue to have disputes over other matters such as Chinese influence in disputed parts of the South China Sea or Taiwan.
“The US and China are already in an aggressive posture, and all the rest are just tactics,” Gibbs explained.
