China launches world's longest quantum communication line

BEIJING: China today launched a 712-km quantum communication line, stated to be the world's longest secure telecommunications network, which boasts of ultra-high security making it impossible to wiretap, intercept or crack the information transmitted through them.

The new quantum communication line links Hefei, capital of Anhui province, to Shanghai, the country's financial hub.

It is part of a 2,000-km quantum communication line connecting Beijing and Shanghai, according to Chen Yu'ao, professor at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei and chief engineer of the Beijing-Shanghai quantum communication line.

The 712-km line has 11 stations and it took three years of construction, Chen said.

Quantum communication lines boasts ultra-high security. It is impossible to wiretap, intercept or crack the information transmitted through them.

Experts from 18 countries witnessed a secure remote video meeting between Hefei and Shanghai via the quantum line at a recent international conference on quantum technology.

The Beijing-Shanghai quantum communication line is expected to be completed at the end of this year.

In August, China successfully launched the world's first quantum satellite. It was nicknamed "Micius" after a fifth century BC Chinese philosopher and scientist.

The Beijing-Shanghai quantum communication line will be connected to the satellite through the line's station in Beijing, enabling the space-to-Earth quantum communication network.