China Advances Quantum Tech Standards on Global Stage
China has achieved significant new progress in international standards for quantum technology, with multiple China-led proposals approved during the fifth plenary meeting of the IEC/ISO Joint Technical Committee 3 (JTC3) on Quantum Technologies. The State Administration for Market Regulation announced on August 17 that the approvals mark a key milestone in Beijing’s efforts to shape the global quantum technology landscape, according to People’s Daily.
A Critical Window for Quantum Technology
Quantum technology is at a pivotal moment, transitioning from laboratory research to industrial applications. As Xinhua News reported, quantum communication, quantum computing, and quantum precision measurement technologies are developing rapidly, positioning the field as a strategic priority for the future economy.
Key Standards Approved
Among the most significant developments, the China-led international standard proposal “Overview and Analysis of Quantum Entropy Source Randomness Quality and Testing Methodology” was formally approved for project initiation. This standard will establish unified rules to verify the authenticity of quantum random numbers, filling a gap in universal testing methods and marking an important step for China in setting international standards for quantum core devices.
A joint China-US-Canada proposal, “Survey of Measurement Standards for Single-Photon Device Characterization and Potential Recommended Measurement Practices,” was also approved. This standard will prioritize standard development in the single-photon detector field and guide future international standardization work in this area.
Additionally, two China-led pre-research projects, including one on “Quantum-Classical Hybrid Computing,” received approval, supporting international standardization exploration and system improvement in quantum computing.
China’s Growing Standards Leadership
China’s influence in quantum technology standardization has grown substantially. All three quantum technology international standards already published by ISO and IEC were led by China, with five more currently under development under China’s leadership. As Worker’s Daily noted, deep participation in international standard-setting helps break through technical barriers and accelerates the large-scale application of innovative achievements.
The IEC/ISO JTC3 Framework
The IEC/ISO JTC3 was established in January 2024 as a joint technical committee focused on developing international standards for quantum technologies. Its scope includes quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum sources, quantum metrology, quantum detectors, and quantum communications. South Korea chairs the committee, while the British Standards Institution (BSI) serves as Secretariat, as The Quantum Insider reported. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has noted that the committee’s establishment was driven by the recognition that quantum technologies have immense potential to address global challenges.
Strategic Implications
The standards-setting activity is part of a broader strategic competition between major powers in quantum technology. China has made quantum technology a strategic priority, with approximately US$15 billion in public funding announced as part of its 14th Five-Year Plan—far more than EU and US allocations. As analysts at the Grandview Institution have noted, the competition in quantum computing is “not merely a race in technology but a test of national innovation systems and strategic endurance,” according to South China Morning Post.
China’s broader standardization strategy has accelerated dramatically. According to Study Times, in 2025 China led the development and publication of 285 ISO/IEC international standards, a 26.67% increase year-over-year. China now ranks third globally in the number of ISO technical committee secretariats, behind only Germany and the US.
What’s Next
As quantum technology moves from laboratory to market, the standards approved at this meeting will help shape how quantum products are developed, tested, and deployed globally. The quantum entropy source standard, in particular, addresses a fundamental capability for quantum cryptography and secure communications. With additional standards under development and continued investment in quantum research, China appears positioned to remain a leading force in defining the technical rules that will govern the quantum technology industry as it matures.