Origin Quantum Unveils 180-Qubit Wukong-180 as China Pushes Self-Sufficient Quantum Tech
Updated
Updated · The Quantum Insider · May 15
Origin Quantum Unveils 180-Qubit Wukong-180 as China Pushes Self-Sufficient Quantum Tech
3 articles · Updated · The Quantum Insider · May 15
Origin Quantum launched Origin Wukong-180, a fourth-generation superconducting quantum computer built on a 180-qubit chip with its chip, control system, environmental support and operating system all developed in-house.
The release extends the Hefei-based company’s full-stack strategy after its 72-qubit Origin Wukong debuted in January 2024 and its Origin Pilot quantum operating system was introduced in February 2026.
China’s policy backdrop is intensifying: the 2026-2030 Five-Year Plan names quantum technology first among seven future industries, while the National Venture Guidance Fund has allocated CNY 121.8 billion to regional quantum investment vehicles.
US export controls on quantum computers, cryogenic systems and control electronics have pushed Chinese firms toward domestic substitutes, reinforcing a more self-contained quantum ecosystem rather than slowing development.
China’s quantum industry reached 11.56 billion yuan in 2025 with annual growth above 30%, underscoring how commercial expansion is now being tied more directly to national technology and security goals.
Beyond impressive qubit numbers, does China's quantum progress lack the software and verification to be a genuine threat?
Have U.S. sanctions inadvertently built a more resilient and independent Chinese quantum industry?
As China exports its quantum tech, is a global 'quantum iron curtain' now becoming inevitable?
Wukong-180: China’s 180-Qubit Quantum Computer and Its Global Impact in the NISQ Era
Overview
The Origin Wukong-180 quantum computer has quickly become a major force in the global quantum landscape, showcasing its technical strength through a wide range of research and applications. Since its launch, Wukong-180 has supported important studies in medicine, engineering, and physics, including using quantum machine learning to predict cancer treatment side effects and identify biomarkers that classical computers cannot. The platform has also enabled breakthroughs in fluid dynamics and quantum state preparation. These achievements highlight Wukong-180’s growing impact and its role in advancing both scientific discovery and practical problem-solving worldwide.