The race for quantum supremacy is heating up, and China has just taken a significant lead.
Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) have unveiled a groundbreaking superconducting quantum computing prototype, dubbed Zuchongzhi-3, which is reportedly a million times faster than Google’s Sycamore processor.
This latest breakthrough in quantum computing not only strengthens China’s position in the global tech race but also signals a monumental shift in the field of high-performance computing.
Zuchongzhi-3
The Zuchongzhi-3 processor features an impressive 105 qubits and 182 couplers, significantly surpassing Google's 67-qubit Sycamore processor, which previously achieved quantum supremacy.
During testing, Zuchongzhi-3 demonstrated exceptional performance in random quantum circuit sampling tasks, a key benchmark in quantum computing.
According to USTC’s official statement, the processor’s coherence time of 72 microseconds allowed it to execute complex operations with extraordinary precision.
The results speak for themselves:
- Single-qubit gate fidelity: 99.90%
- Parallel two-qubit gate fidelity: 99.62%
- Parallel readout fidelity: 99.13%
This level of accuracy and processing power has cemented China’s dominance in quantum computing.
Why Zuchongzhi-3 is a Major Breakthrough
In its latest tests, Zuchongzhi-3 completed a 32-layer random circuit sampling task using 83 qubits, performing calculations 15 orders of magnitude faster than the most advanced supercomputers today.
For comparison, Google’s Sycamore processor had previously demonstrated a nine-order magnitude advantage over classical computing. This means China’s latest quantum processor is a million times faster than Google’s, reaffirming its technological edge in quantum computing.
China vs. the US
Quantum computing is expected to revolutionize problem-solving across industries, from drug discovery to cryptography. However, developing a fully functional general-purpose quantum computer requires passing through three key milestones:
- Achieving Quantum Supremacy – where a quantum computer significantly outperforms classical supercomputers.
- Developing Quantum Simulators – with hundreds of qubits capable of solving real-world problems.
- Enhancing Precision & Accuracy – refining error rates to build reliable quantum computers for practical applications.
China has already made significant strides in all three stages, positioning itself ahead of competitors like the US.
