(Yicai Global) July 19 -- A leading Chinese optoelectronic communication equipment supplier has won a five-year contract to provide hardware for a super-secure communications network that uses quantum technology.

Kaile Science and Technology's quantum communications unit will make terminals for an unnamed party to support the transmission of secret communications using the cutting-edge technology, the Hubei-based company said in a statement. The firm has also signed a deal with the government of Jingzhou where its production base is located, to assist authorities with the establishment of a smart city platform.

Quantum communications use light photons to transmit data in a highly efficient and secure way. China has taken the lead in setting up quantum communication information transmission channels in recent years. The country launched its first commercial-level network using the technology last September in eastern Shandong province for governmental use.

The two parties will sign a separate purchase and sales contract regarding specific purchasing quantities.

Kaile Quantum Communications will also work with the National University of Defense Technology to establish the National Defense Science and Technology Research Institute as a platform to share and exchange information and technology resources.

Editor: William Clegg