The global community is increasingly moving from words to action in the field of quantum technologies. This week, two countries at once—China and Sweden—unveiled ambitious plans that are shifting the perception of quantum developments: from a purely scientific domain, they are moving toward industrial applications and national security concerns.
Beijing bets on technological sovereignty
China's leadership has integrated quantum technologies into its five-year development plan for the digital and cyber sector for the period from 2026 to 2030. The document, which includes seven directions and 21 specific measures, is aimed at strengthening companies operating in the IT and cybersecurity fields.
Special emphasis is placed on fundamental research and the development of high-performance chips, industrial software, and network technologies. Among the priority areas for technological breakthroughs are quantum technologies, blockchain, brain-computer interfaces, digital twins, and next-generation displays.
Notably, Beijing did not break down the quantum direction into subcategories (computing, communication, sensors) and did not allocate a separate budget. Instead, the focus is on practical commercialization: the authorities intend to support major ecosystem companies and create an updatable database of promising market players, involving investment and consulting structures in the mechanism.
Stockholm prepares for the post-quantum era
Sweden has gone further by adopting the first national strategy in its history entirely dedicated to quantum technologies. The document, spanning until 2036, covers computing, simulation, communication, and sensors, and also sets the task of uniting disparate research programs into a single national ecosystem.
Minister of Education Lotta Edholm emphasizes that a strong scientific base is not enough. The strategy identifies five key directions—from workforce training and state-business coordination to international cooperation. At the same time, no separate budget is provided: funding will be built on existing programs.
An extremely important aspect of the Swedish strategy is cybersecurity. The authorities directly warn that future quantum computers could threaten current cryptographic algorithms. Although such machines do not yet exist, Stockholm insists on the advance preparation of infrastructure for post-quantum cryptography, including the development of competencies in this area and the strengthening of export controls.
My comment: The fact that Beijing and Stockholm almost simultaneously recognize quantum technologies as a strategic asset is a clear signal for the market. We are witnessing not just a race for computing power, but a struggle for security standards and economic leadership. For the crypto industry, this means that the transition to quantum-resistant algorithms is not a distant prospect, but a matter of the coming years, and states have already begun to prepare for it.