Founded in 1988, Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone, East Lake High-tech Zone in short, is also known as "Optics Valley of China (OVC)". Approved by the State Council in succession as one of the first national high-tech zones, the second national innovation demonstration zone, and China (Hubei) Pilot Free Trade Zone - Wuhan Area, the development zone has also been recognized as a national optoelectronic information industrial base, a national bio-industry base, as well as a national innovation and entrepreneurship demonstration base.

Over the past three decades, OVC has consistently focused on developing advanced technologies and achieving industrialization, and has set up two strategic emerging industrial clusters – namely the "Optics, IC, Displays, Terminals and Internet" cluster and the life-health cluster. New economy has been integrated with new consumption, and future industries such as AI, quantum information and brain science are thriving as well, giving rise to the "221" modern industrial system.

Located in the southeast of Wuhan city with a planned area of 518 square kilometers, OVC governs eight sub-districts and eight industrial parks.

It has a permanent population of about 1.18 million, serving more than 2 million people, with an average age of around 32.

OVC has maintained stable and rapid economic growth, becoming one of the most innovative and fastest-growing high-tech zones in China.

In 2025, OVC capitalized on opportunities in emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, leading to robust industrial growth driven by sectors like storage chips, new optical fibers, and optical modules. The added value of industries above designated size surged by 12.3 percent, with industrial investment growth accelerating by 1.7 percentage points compared to the first half of the year, indicating a significant expansion in effective investment.

The production service sector saw a comprehensive recovery, with remarkable growth in AI computing power and domestic industrial software. Project investments maintained quality and stability, with infrastructure and social investments showing a 23.2 percent increase. Foreign trade also saw positive shifts, with high-tech product exports and imports achieving double-digit growth.

Over 22,000 new enterprises were registered in OVC during the first three quarters, an 11.1 percent year-on-year increase. Forward-looking economic indicators remain strong, with double-digit growth in both social and industrial electricity consumption, and technology credit for newly established enterprises increasing by over 20 percent.