Biolake in Optics Valley of China [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

East Lake High-tech Development Zone (Optics Valley of China) in Wuhan, the capital city of Central China's Hubei province, reported strong economic growth in the first quarter of 2021, according to local media reports.

The zone reported regional GDP of 49.29 billion yuan ($7.60 billion), a year-on-year increase of 87.9 percent, ranking first in Wuhan city in terms of total volume and growth rate.

In the three months, the zone's foreign trade import and export volume amounted to 43.56 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 92.2 percent, ranking first in the city.

In addition, major economic indicators such as fixed-asset investment, the added value of industries above the designated size, the added value of the service industry and investment promotion all showed a strong growth momentum.

Optics Valley promoted the construction of major projects in the first quarter. On Qunying Road, the international medical center project of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) is taking shape.

The five-story high-end biomedical imaging facility is undergoing external leveling, and the internal decoration stage is coming to an end. It is expected to be completed in June of this year.

The zone also accelerated investment attraction. Biolake in Optics Valley is home to more than 2,000 bio-pharmaceutical enterprises and is gathering more upstream and downstream companies.

An artist's rendering of the biomedical imaging facility of the international medical center project of HUST. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]