China has successfully created a quantum key distribution link with South Africa, enhancing ultra-secure communication capabilities. This achievement, announced by Professor Yin Juan, facilitates a secure link spanning 12,800 km and is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere. This marks progress towards intercontinental communication services resistant to hacking.
China has achieved a significant advancement in secure communications by establishing the first quantum key distribution link with South Africa, marking its expansion into the southern hemisphere. This development is anticipated to enhance the protection of sensitive information against hacking threats, particularly for financial and national defense communications.
The announcement was made by Yin Juan, a distinguished professor of experimental physics and a deputy in the National People’s Congress (NPC), during the annual plenary session in Beijing. According to Yin, this new quantum secure communication system connects Beijing and South Africa across a staggering distance of 12,800 kilometers (7,954 miles), utilizing China’s quantum communication satellites.
Yin emphasized the novelty of this achievement, stating, “It is also the first time this kind of secure quantum key distribution experiment has been implemented in the southern hemisphere.” He previously contributed to the development of Mozi, the world’s first quantum communication satellite, which was launched in 2016 for long-distance quantum communications.
In a preceding milestone reached in 2017, scientists utilized the Mozi satellite to successfully conduct a secure “quantum call” and transmit images between China and Austria over a distance of 7,600 kilometers, showcasing the practical applications of quantum communication technology.
China’s establishment of a quantum key distribution link with South Africa signals a notable step forward in the global pursuit of ultra-secure communications. This advancement not only fortifies the protection of critical information but also represents a crucial milestone in intercontinental secure communication capabilities. The innovation exemplifies the transformative potential of quantum technology in safeguarding communications from eavesdropping and cyber threats.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
