A method and an apparatus for generating a differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) code optical signal are provided. The method may includes splitting an optical signal to obtain two polarized optical signals, modulating and phase-shifting one of the two polarized optical signals to obtain a phase-shifted and polarized optical signal, and modulating the other of the two polarized optical signals to obtain another polarized and modulated optical signal. The phase-shifted and polarized optical signal may be combined with the other polarized and modulated optical signal to obtain a polarization multiplexed optical signal. The method may further include, polarizing the polarization multiplexed optical signal to obtain the DQPSK code optical signal. The apparatus may include a polarization beam splitter (PBS), modulators, a phase-shift controller, a polarization beam combiner (PBC), and a polarizer. Through the processes of beam splitting, modulation, phase-shifting, beam combination, and polarization, the DQPSK code optical signal can be generated stably.