Chinese cloud computing service Aliyun is expanding research into the quantum field of computers.

Alibaba Group's cloud computing subsidiary and the Chinese Academy of Sciences signed a memorandum of understanding n Shanghai to co-found the Chinese Academy of Sciences – Alibaba Quantum Computing Laboratory.

The new research facility aims to take the study and applications of quantum theory to the next level, heralding new technologies and platforms for information security, connectivity and computing.

Chunli Bai, president of CAS; Jianwei Pan, professor and executive vice president of the University of Science and Technology of China and a CAS member; and Alibaba Group Chief Technology Officer Jian Wang signed the MOU at the ceremony in Shanghai last week.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Laboratory will conduct pioneering research in quantum theory with a view to discovering ground-breaking security techniques for e-commerce and data centers, as well as to enhancing computing performance. Both parties will jointly promote the research, development, dissemination and application of quantum computing to lay a strong and stable technical foundation for China to push the envelope on quantum computing.

Financial terms of total investment and any developments emanating from the collusion were not announced.