Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 16 August 2016: China launched the world’s first quantum satellite

China has just launched the world’s first quantum satellite, which will enable a ‘hack-proof’ communications system, says Beijing. The satellite can be used for communication but also military purposes. As the authorities say one of the prime aims of the project was to enable safe communication between Beijing and Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang region, torn by conflicts, where the Chinese government says it is struggling with an Islamic insurgency. Launching of the fist ever quantum satellite by China has yet also other implications.

It was one of Xi Jinping’s priorities at the start of his presidency to establish China as a space power. Some commentators go as far as to say that the quantum race has been in place for quite a while now, and China proves to win it (Nicolas Gisin, a professor and quantum physicist at the University of Geneva). The project’s chief scientist, Pan Jianwei, added that: ‘The newly launched satellite marks a transition in China's role - from a follower in classic information technology development to one of the leaders guiding future achievements’.