Scientists from Russia and China successfully tested quantum communication over a distance of 3,800 km between a ground station near Moscow and another near Urumqi in China’s Xinjiang region. The experiment used China’s Mozi (Micius) quantum satellite to distribute quantum encryption keys, which were then used to transmit two encoded images between the ground stations.
According to Quantum Zeitgeist, the test was led by Alexey Fedorov of Russia’s MISIS and the Russian Quantum Center, and demonstrated the feasibility of a quantum communication network among BRICS nations. Russian researchers had begun collaborating with the Mozi satellite team in 2020, and a ground station was set up at the Zvenigorod observatory outside Moscow.
A secret key was distributed from Zvenigorod to the Mozi satellite in orbit, which transmitted it to China’s Nanshan ground station near Urumqi. The encrypted messages were decrypted using keys based on a quote from Chinese philosopher Mozi and an equation from Soviet physicist Lev Landau. Russia has proposed collaborative efforts within the BRICS bloc to advance quantum technologies, and the Russian Quantum Center has sought partnerships with Indian academic institutions.