In 1976, China's first optical fiber was produced in Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone (Optics Valley of China, or OVC), marking the beginning of a journey that has transformed the zone into a global optoelectronic information hub.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), OVC had attracted 16,000 optoelectronic information enterprises, propelling Hubei's industry scale beyond one trillion yuan ($140.38 billion), with products reaching over 100 countries worldwide.

One standout company in OVC has developed hollow-core optical fibers, achieving near-light speed transmission at 300,000 kilometers per second. This innovation reduces latency by over 30 percent, setting a new global benchmark.

While maintaining its lead in optical communications, OVC is also pioneering new industrial frontiers. At the Changfei Advanced Semiconductor Wuhan Base, a fully automated factory produces 360,000 silicon carbide power chips annually, meeting the chip needs of 1.44 million new energy vehicles.

Lasers are a crucial segment of the optoelectronic industry, and OVC's tech companies have mastered their application, yielding significant breakthroughs in semiconductors, smart driving, and new display technologies.

To accelerate the industrialization of tech innovations, OVC has established a shared, open, and cutting-edge pilot testing platform, encouraging collaborative innovation among enterprises, universities, and research institutions, and significantly shortening the technology transfer cycle.

Research institutions in OVC strive to align with industry needs, focusing on key technologies across the supply chain. Developed solutions are then shared with all partners, fostering a deeply integrated industrial ecosystem. This synergy has also spurred new achievements and business models, showcasing OVC's vibrant innovative energy.