Innovation propels Optics Valley to new heights

Technicians from the HGTECH smart manufacturing industrial park adjust a laser welding machine. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

The East Lake High-tech Development Zone was founded in 1988, and is the birthplace of China's first optical fiber and first optoelectronic transmission system. It is currently the world's largest optical fiber and cable R&D and manufacturing base. Therefore, it is also known as the Optics Valley of China (OVC).

The central government has great expectations for OVC, urging it to take control of more core independent technologies, further extend the innovation and industrial chains, and adhere to problem-oriented principles to overcome more bottlenecks for the nation's optoelectronic information sector.

Responding to that call, the valley has prioritized innovation, especially technological and institutional innovation. From 2012 to 2022, OVC's expenditures on scientific research rose from 440 million yuan ($61.29 million) to 8 billion yuan, and the total R&D expenses of local corporations rose from 4.99 billion yuan to 31.7 billion yuan.

Technicians from the HGTECH's workshop adjust laser cutting equipment. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

Over the past decade, the valley has created 19 State-level incubators, 59 national corporate innovation centers, 16 new-type research institutions, and 4,577 high-tech companies.

"Optics, IC, Displays, Terminals and Internet" and biomedicine are two dominant emerging industrial clusters in the valley, with new economy and consumption models integrating with each other. Future industries are thriving as well, including AI, quantum information and brain science.