Optics Valley emerging as nation's high-tech hub

Optics Valley has emerged as a high-tech hub where not only is a wave of tech breakthroughs taking root, but where the deeper integration of scientific and industrial innovation is also advancing, reflecting China's efforts to move forward with high-level scientific and technological self-reliance.

Humanoid robots, advanced chips and 6G-related technologies are now taking shape at scale in the East Lake High-Tech Development Zone in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province. The zone is widely known as China's Optics Valley.

A new humanoid robot store opened earlier this month in Optics Valley, bringing cutting-edge technology closer to everyday life. The zone has also recently seen the debut of the "Kuafu" humanoid robot, the first HarmonyOS-powered model designed for smart-home scenarios.

Data show that Optics Valley now hosts more than 70 percent of Hubei's enterprises capable of supplying humanoid-robot products, further strengthening the zone's rapidly growing robotics ecosystem.

Apart from the developments in humanoid robotics, Optics Valley is placing strong emphasis on the chip industry as well.

This year, an advanced silicon carbide wafer facility operated by Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable (YOFC) began production in Optics Valley. The plant can turn out 360,000 wafers annually, enough to supply chips for roughly 1.44 million new energy vehicles.

More than 300 chip enterprises have now clustered in Optics Valley, forming a complete industrial chain that spans chip design, testing, manufacturing and packaging. The cluster is on track to exceed 100 billion yuan ($14.12 billion) in output value this year.

"When the semiconductor industry feels unsure about where to head next, it should come to Optics Valley for inspiration," said Chen Nanxiang, chairman of the China Semiconductor Industry Association.

Meanwhile, Optics Valley is advancing preparations for 6G's projected commercial rollout around 2030. A new local base nearing full operation is further strengthening the years of research and development carried out by CICT Mobile Communication Technology Co Ltd, and is expected to support the next stage of "air-space-ground" 6G development.

These technological advances align with China's plan to intensify efforts to achieve high-level sci-tech self-reliance and foster new quality productive forces during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), according to the recently unveiled Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.

Moreover, an increasing number of domestic tech and biopharmaceutical companies are ramping up their investment in Optics Valley to deepen scientific and industrial innovation.

United Imaging Healthcare, for instance, has committed to building a global hub in Optics Valley for advanced medical equipment, including surgical robots and intelligent medical systems. The move represents a significant reinvestment in the area, 12 years after the company first set up operations there.

"United Imaging's rapid growth owes much to Hubei's strong support for cross-disciplinary medical and engineering innovation," said Xue Min, chairman of United Imaging Group.

Xiaomi Corp, a Chinese tech company, has also been expanding its presence in Optics Valley. In October, the first phase of the company's smart home appliance plant went into production.

"Optics Valley has been a lucky place for Xiaomi," said Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi. Since 2017, Xiaomi and Kingsoft have continued to expand their presence in Wuhan, and Xiaomi expects its local R&D team to reach 10,000 by year-end, said Lei.

Zhang Chenxu contributed to this story.