China’s quantum development plan is aggressive, and Donald Trump wants one just like it
After breakthroughs by Chinese scientists over the past decade, Washington issues commitment to ‘maintaining American leadership in quantum information science’
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And after observing China’s state-led push to become a world leader in the field of quantum technology, it seems the United States is about to pay Beijing a considerable compliment and follow suit.
For about a decade China has been committed to increasing its capabilities in the field. In that time it has funded major projects, brought scientists from across the country to work together and encouraged students to enter the field.
While this high level of government involvement has led to a number of breakthroughs for China, it also stands in stark contrast to the low-key approach adopted by the US in the period.
But according to a document released by Washington earlier this week, that could all be about to change.
Watch: China launches first quantum satellite
Quantum science is now a “nascent pillar of the American research and development enterprise”, the White House said in a white paper on a national strategy for quantum research.