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Hong Kong Launches Key Optical Quantum Materials Lab During Strategic Reorientation

The HKU State Key Laboratory of Optical Quantum Materials explores quantum technology basics. State-backed research institutions in Hong Kong are being reformed to fit Beijing's high-tech goals. In this changed atmosphere, quantum science is emphasised.

SKL Meaning

This major change to Hong Kong's research ecosystem underscores China's national strategy to focus scientific resources on its growing technology rivalry with the US. The SCMP called the revision a statewide reform of the 1984-founded State Key Laboratory (SKL) program. This program aims to accelerate advances in AI, quantum technology, and brain science by moving from a loosely organised, academically driven approach to a mission-oriented strategy.

To justify these reforms, Science and Technology Minister Yin Hejun said “the state key laboratories in Hong Kong will further bolster their mission positioning [and] focus on scientific challenges arising from national demands to seize the commanding heights in the global scientific and technological competition”. This directive positions Hong Kong universities, including this new quantum lab, as crucial to China's technological self-reliance and scientific leadership.

Optical Quantum Materials: Building Blocks

This strategic approach towards national goals led to Hong Kong University's State Key Laboratory of Optical Quantum Materials. This new lab and the Chinese University of Hong Kong's State Key Laboratory of Quantum Information Technologies and Materials are important quantum research investments in the city. These advanced capabilities should advance research into the "building blocks of quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum computing". Quantum technology's feasibility and performance depend on fundamental material advances.

HKU President Xiang Zhang promised to “contributing to our city, our nation and the global community” as the new optical quantum materials lab director. HKU is committed to fostering research talent and leading basic research that supports national progress and meets essential national needs, Zhang said. Beijing targets quantum because it believes leadership in this complex field might benefit its defence and commerce. China has invested considerably in quantum communication networks and is directing Hong Kong labs to help. Quantum technologies use subatomic particle superposition and entanglement to perform jobs regular systems cannot.

The 2022 SKL programme revision intends to decrease duplication, increase efficiency, and ensure all research meets national needs. The new scheme licenses 500 labs countrywide with mandates and direct management. This is a huge change from the former model, which permitted broad academic inquiry but occasionally hindered state initiatives. Even symbolic changes like renaming the SKL program to emphasise its national scope are important to the Chinese leadership.

Changing Strategy and Funding

The Hong Kong Ministry of Science and Technology approved three new SKLs, including the Optical Quantum Materials lab, and restructured 16 into 12. The new quantum labs are great, however this reorganisation destroyed four SKL labs: brain sciences, medicinal plants, chemical biology, and environmental analysis. Other labs rebranded substantially for their new, more precise directives. The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience became the State Key Laboratory of Nervous System Disorders to fight Alzheimer's. These adjustments eliminate redundancy and ensure each SKL contributes uniquely to the national strategy.

Hong Kong university administrators approve the revamped program. The new HKU optical quantum materials lab and Chinese University of Hong Kong quantum information lab are important to this reorientation. The reorganisation aligns these institutions with China's research objective and uses Hong Kong's global linkages to attract people and collaborate worldwide.

These labs are well-funded. Each SKL will get HK$20 million (US$2.5 million) in annual funding from the Innovation and Technology Commission for people, equipment, and consumables. Beijing adds to local funding. Chinese Academy of Sciences specialists say labs require long-term, stable funding to work without grant competition. They also urged Beijing provide SKLs direct responsibility to free scientists to research rather than apply for grants. This new paradigm may have come from government-affiliated U.S. and European national laboratories.

In this big makeover, China and the US compete for cutting-edge technologies. Beijing prioritises research and technology independence due to Washington's restrictions on quantum and advanced semiconductors. Beijing is making it clear that Hong Kong's place in national science will depend more on its ability to meet national demands than on local goals by urging its research environment to focus on quantum and other critical fields. Refocused SKLs, like the new Optical Quantum Materials lab, demonstrate this shift and help China lead scientifically.

This reorganisation highlights how China and the West pursue quantum technology differently. China's move resembles U.S. national labs but NOT a Western scientific innovation strategy. Quantum development in the US and Europe has largely involved large ecosystems of universities, startups, private investors, and government agencies to foster entrepreneurship, funding, and open collaboration. Instead of innovation centres, China develops state-related “capability nodes”. We prioritise mission-driven research, rapid technical milestones, and state-defined applications, especially in defence and secure communications.