China eyes to be a key player in the IT field, investing intensely in its research and development. (Photo : Getty Images)
Stretching 712 km across the Chinese territory, the super-secure quantum communication line becomes the longest in the world.
China has launched the ultra-secure line linking the capital of Anhui Province, Hefei, to Shanghai. Already being the longest as it is, the quantum communication line is just a portion of the planned 2,000-km link that will ultimately connect Shanghai to China's capital Beijing, according to the project's chief engineer and University of Science and technology of China (USTC) Professor Chen Yu'ao.
The communication line features ultra-high security impossible of being wiretapped or intercepted. Attempts to do so will corrupt the signal.
Quantum communication channel makes use of quantum cryptography to securely transmit data or information from one end of the line to the other.
The project is already three years into its completion but was initially expected to be finished this November. The target date was postponed, with the project being possibly concluded by the end of the year.
The Chinese communication network transmits valuable and often classified information, be it in the field of research, government affairs or issues of national security. The project aims to further explore possible practical applications of the quantum line.
Just this August, China had launched the world's first quantum satellite, pioneering what could possibly be a new stage of secure communications network and hack-proof technology.
