File photo shows production line of quantum chips. China's quantum computing power has entered the "usable" era, researchers said. China's independent manufacturing chain for superconducting quantum computer has taken shape after years of research and development. Photo: Courtesy of Origin Quantum Computing Technology Co

Researchers in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui Province, recently began to expand and upgrade China's first superconducting quantum computer manufacturing chain, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Tuesday.

An industry expert said that the move will ramp up China's superconducting quantum computer production capacity and further consolidate self-reliance in this vital sector.

The move will beef up the core links for superconducting quantum computer manufacturing, including the independent production of quantum computing chips and complete machine assembly, the report said, adding that China's independent manufacturing capabilities for quantum computers will be enhanced.

Wukong, a 72-qubit indigenous superconducting quantum chip, produced by China's first superconducting quantum computer chip assembly line, has been operating in a smooth and stable fashion for more than nine months on Origin Wukong, the report said, citing a chief researcher.

The expansion of the production line is intended to make new-generation superconducting quantum computing chips that perform better, have higher qubit readings and offer better stability.

The machine assembly room is also being expanded, allowing at least eight superconducting quantum computers to be assembled simultaneously, up from the current maximum capacity of five.

Guo Guoping, chief scientist of Origin Quantum, told the Global Times on Tuesday that after the upgrade and expansion, China's independent superconducting quantum computer will become more powerful and its production capacity will be further improved.

"China will have more powerful quantum computers to counter efforts by the US to 'strangle' China's quantum computing capabilities," Guo said.

Origin Wukong, China's independently developed third-generation superconducting quantum computer, has completed 270,000 quantum computing tasks for users from 133 countries since it became operational on January 6, the report said. 

It is the first time that China opens up its quantum computing power to the world on a large-scale, long-time basis.