China is making tangible strides in the global quantum computing race, moving beyond research labs and into international markets with advanced quantum technologies. Recent agreements in Spain and Italy highlight how Chinese quantum firms are positioning themselves as key global players, rivaling U.S. tech giants like IBM, Nvidia, and AWS in cloud-based and hardware-driven services.
In one of the most significant developments, Shanghai-based venture capital firm ChinaLink ESGt, led by a Spanish entrepreneur, has partnered with Origin Quantum, China’s leading quantum computing company, to establish a quantum computing center in Málaga, Spain. The project, which aligns with Spain’s National Quantum Technologies Strategy (2025–2030) and its EUR 800 million investment plan, will leverage Origin Quantum’s hybrid quantum cloud platform and advanced hardware solutions. While Spanish researchers are expected to access most systems remotely, the collaboration underscores Europe’s growing reliance on Chinese innovation to accelerate breakthroughs in finance, healthcare, and green technology applications.
Meanwhile in Italy, Shenzhen-based SpinQ Technology is advancing academic and commercial adoption. The University of Perugia and the University of Salerno have already received Chinese-built quantum devices, smaller in scale but practical for programming, algorithm development, and education. These deployments echo the software-access models offered by major U.S. platforms, but with the added value of physical systems placed in European institutions.
China’s momentum does not stop at Europe. QuantumCTek, another leading player, has confirmed the sale of a 25-bit superconducting quantum computer to an overseas buyer, while Origin Quantum is preparing to ship its Origin SL400 dilution refrigerator, a critical component for stabilizing quantum systems, to Belt and Road countries such as South Africa, Russia, and Iran. These exports expand the global footprint of China’s quantum ecosystem and reinforce Beijing’s role as both a technology supplier and a research collaborator.
Beyond commercial agreements, the strategy serves a broader purpose. By offering access to online quantum services and specialized hardware, China projects itself as a constructive research partner for Europe and the Global South, while strengthening international reliance on its platforms. This approach allows Chinese firms to collect valuable user data, optimize services, and accelerate domestic innovation at scale.
Analysts note that Europe, historically focused on research-driven approaches, risks being overtaken by China’s ability to scale and deliver cost-efficient solutions. As Altynay Junusova of MERICS observes: “Partnerships in Spain and Italy show that China’s quantum firms are competing with U.S. firms like IBM in global markets. Europe’s quantum ecosystem, which has historically focused on research, is being outrun by China’s, which excels at scaling and cost efficiency.”
The export of Chinese quantum systems marks a new phase in global technology competition, one where China is no longer just catching up but actively shaping the future of quantum computing abroad. For Europe and beyond, the collaborations offer opportunities for innovation but also highlight the growing influence of China’s technological leadership.