On 27 February 2026, the National Standardization Administration of China (SAC) approved a batch of voluntary national standards including GB/T 47177.1-2026 Quantum computing service platform – Part 1: Architecture and functional requirements. This project was approved in December 2024 with a 12-month development timeline. China Academy of Information and Communication Technology (CAICT) led its drafting under the National Technical Committee on Quantum Technologies (SAC/TC 578).
Background of the Standard
China’s quantum computing sector is rapidly evolving and transitioning from the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) phase toward fault-tolerant quantum computing. Multiple technological pathways, including superconducting, photonic, and trapped-ion systems, are advancing in parallel. Due to the high cost and technical complexity of quantum hardware, cloud-based access has become the dominant model, with a few platforms enabling early applications in finance, chemistry, and machine learning.
However, industrial scaling faces several challenges. The lack of unified standards leads to fragmented architecture and limited interoperability. Integration across heterogeneous hardware and software remains difficult. High technical barriers constrain developer participation, while insufficiently standardized approaches to resource management, operations, and security create risks for commercialization. Weak coordination across the ecosystem further limits scalability.
Main Content of the Standard and its Impact
Against this backdrop, GB/T 47177.1-2026 establishes a unified framework for quantum computing service platforms. It defines a three-layer architecture consisting of the application layer, platform layer, and infrastructure layer, along with two cross-layer modules for operations management and security assurance.
- The application layer focuses on user access and service delivery.
- The platform layer provides core capabilities such as program development, compilation, and task scheduling.
- The infrastructure layer manages quantum and classical computing resources.
The standard also sets concrete, implementable functional requirements and supports flexible deployment models including Q-IaaS, Q-PaaS, and Q-SaaS.
This standard translates technological advances into a structured, deployable framework that enhances interoperability and aligns stakeholders across the value chain. It improves integration across heterogeneous systems, standardizes resource management, and strengthens operational and security governance. By establishing a common technical baseline and standardizing interfaces while reducing complexity for users, it lowers entry barriers for developers and users and enables clearer role definition and more effective coordination across the ecosystem. GB/T 47177.1-2026 is therefore expected to accelerate ecosystem development, reduce adoption costs, enhance trust in commercial applications, and support the scaling of quantum computing services.
More broadly, the standard reflects China’s evolving approach to standardization as a strategic policy tool. As highlighted during the State Council’s 16th study session in October 2025, standards are increasingly positioned to guide technological and industrial development. Early-stage standardization is leveraged to accelerate industrialization, scale applications, and strengthen technological self-reliance. In this context, quantum technologies are expected to play a catalytic role in advancing broader innovation, including artificial intelligence and industrial digitalization. SESEC will continue to monitor developments in quantum technologies and provide timely updates.
Source: https://std.samr.gov.cn/gb/search/gbDetailed?id=4C1BF798CA5783B0E06397BE0A0A640A
About SAC/TC 578
The secretariat of SAC/TC 578 is hosted by the Jinan Institute of Quantum Technology (JIQT) in Shandong Province, China. Since its establishment, the committee has been responsible for developing and managing standards across key areas of quantum technologies, including quantum computing and simulation, quantum metrology and measurement, quantum communication and networks, and related enabling technologies.
The committee brings together leading early-stage innovators and researchers in quantum technologies in China, alongside major domestic enterprises that are actively shaping the industry. According to statistics informed by SAC in June 2025, SAC/TC 578 has published 9 national standards and 8 English-language versions, with 2 additional standards on quantum secure communication under development. SESEC has previously published a news report on the standards released by SAC/TC 578, which can be accessed via the link below.
https://sesec.eu/first-batch-national-standards-issued-on-quantum-measurement-in-china/
