China Establishes Hacker-Proof Quantum Communication Link with South Africa

China has established an ultra-secure quantum communication link with South Africa, enhancing global communication security. This breakthrough allows for nearly impossible hacking of sensitive data. The achievement was announced by Yin Juan during the NPC meeting, marking a significant advancement in quantum technology.

China has successfully established an ultra-secure communication link with South Africa through quantum key distribution, marking the first utilization of such technology in the southern hemisphere. This significant development represents a step forward in the pursuit of a global communication network resistant to eavesdropping, which offers enhanced protection for sensitive information such as financial data and national defense communications.

Yin Juan, a senior scientist associated with this project and a deputy at the National People’s Congress (NPC) as well as a professor at the University of Science and Technology of China, shared this breakthrough during the NPC’s annual plenary meeting in Beijing. The quantum communication demonstration spans approximately 12,800 kilometers (7,954 miles) between Beijing and South Africa, facilitated by China’s advanced quantum communication satellites.

Yin highlighted that this is the first secure quantum key distribution experiment undertaken in the southern hemisphere. He has previously contributed to groundbreaking work in quantum communication, notably as the chief payload designer for the Mozi (or Micius) satellite, which launched in 2016 to facilitate long-distance quantum transmissions. In 2017, this satellite enabled a secure “quantum call” and the transmission of images between China and Austria over a distance of 7,600 kilometers.

In conclusion, China has made a significant advancement in quantum communication technology by establishing a secure link with South Africa. This achievement not only enhances the security of communications across long distances but also pioneers the use of quantum key distribution in the southern hemisphere. As the global race for ultra-secure communication continues, such innovations facilitate the safeguarding of sensitive information and highlight China’s growing capabilities in this field.

Original Source: www.scmp.com