As a cutting-edge technology in the field of future science and technology, quantum communication is leading the trend of global technological development at a rapid pace. Therefore, we need to pay attention to China's outstanding performance in the field of quantum communication. In recent years, China has continued to make huge breakthroughs in the number of quantum communication patent applications. In this article, we will explore China's patent applications in the field of quantum communication, revealing the distribution of applications in this field by provinces and cities in China. At the same time, we will see the dominance of companies in quantum communication patent applications, and globally, China leads in the number of quantum communication patent applications.
Annual distribution of the number of quantum communication patent applications in China. Source: Analysis of China's Quantum Communication Patent Layout and Development Status
From 2003 to 2022, the cumulative total number of patent applications in the field of quantum communication in my country shows an overall upward trend. Since 2016, the number of patent applications has grown rapidly. In 2016, my country also made breakthroughs in the field of quantum communication. One was that on August 16, 2016, China successfully launched the first quantum science experiment satellite "Mozi". The satellite is the world's first satellite to achieve quantum key distribution and quantum entanglement, marking an important breakthrough in China's quantum communication field. The other is that on September 29, 2016, China officially completed the "Beijing-Shanghai Trunk Line" quantum security communication network. The trunk line connects the two major cities of Beijing and Shanghai, enabling the communication distance of quantum key distribution to reach about 2,000 kilometers, laying the foundation for the commercialization of quantum communication technology.
Rank distribution of original applicants for quantum communication patents in China. Source: Analysis of China's Quantum Communication Patent Layout and Development Status
Looking at the top 20 original applicants from 2003 to 2022, there are 15 companies with a total of 1,289 patents; 5 universities with a total of 469 patents. Therefore, it can be found that enterprise patent applicants have become the main force in patent applications, which means that the industrialization of quantum communication has entered a stage where enterprises are the main driving force.
The distribution of applications for quantum communication patents in various provinces and cities in China. Source: Analysis of China's Quantum Communication Patent Layout and Development Status
The provinces where the top five Chinese quantum communication patent applicants are located are Beijing, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong. We analyze the possible reasons as follows: the distribution of scientific research institutions and universities. Beijing is the capital of China and has many important scientific research institutions, universities and research centers. These institutions often conduct research in cutting-edge scientific and technological fields, including quantum communications. Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong also have many excellent universities and scientific research institutions, so they have relatively more patent applications in quantum communication. Policy support and investment. The government has always attached great importance to the development of cutting-edge technologies such as quantum communication. These top-ranked cities may have more policy support and financial investment to encourage enterprises and research institutions to conduct related research and apply for patents. Industrial agglomeration effect, some cities may have formed the agglomeration effect of the quantum communication industry. In some regions, companies and research institutions are engaged in quantum communication technology, and form cooperation with each other to jointly promote research and development in this field in the region. Talent pool, these top-ranked cities usually have a wealth of scientific and technological talent resources, including researchers, engineers and professionals. Supported by talents, these cities also have relatively strong research and innovation capabilities, thus boosting the number of quantum communication patent applications
In February this year, the official website of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) published a blog post titled "Quantum patent trends update: 2022". The status of patents in the two fields of quantum communication. According to the theme of this issue, the patent charts related to the field of quantum communication are mainly selected for analysis.
Ranking distribution of global quantum communication patent applicants
According to the data presented in the report, China leads the world in quantum communication patent applications. The report selects the top 20 patent applicants in the world and publishes the number of their applications. Among other things, 12 of the remaining 19 applicants are Chinese companies or universities, with a total of 505 applications.
The number of patent applications in the field of quantum communication in China is increasing, but patent applicants need to pay attention to the quality of patents while pursuing quantity. On the one hand, a large number of patent applications may mean more opportunities to obtain high-quality patents . Through continuous research and innovation, more valuable technical solutions may be generated, thereby improving the quality of patents. On the other hand, high-quality patents also help to increase the influence and commercialization of technologies, thereby encouraging more patent applications.
The future technological development focus of quantum communication will gradually shift from basic research to the application of quantum communication and the combination with related fields. As quantum communication continues to develop as a cutting-edge technology, its influence in the industry will increase day by day. Therefore, entities related to quantum communication should proceed from a long-term perspective, actively carry out forward-looking research and development, and lay out and protect intellectual property rights to promote industrial development and innovation.