In order to investigate the development of quantum optics and quantum information all over the world and to evaluate China's present status in the field

the data from the SCI database (1991~2006) was indexed based on 13 subjects categorized by Optical Society of America(OSA). The methods from literature metrology

scientific metrology and information analysis were used to measure the development speed of these disciplines and to compare the number of research papers of those leading countries. Therefore

scientists in China can have a quantitative judgment

a multi-dimensional thinking and more angles of observation. The conclusion is that the field of quantum optics and quantum information is one of the most viable new sciences in the 21st century. China has made some important innovative contributions in both theory and practice

which has been illustrated by the increasing tendency in reseaarch paper citation.