Optics Valley International Community project breaks ground on Dec 15. [Photo/Optics Valley of China]

The commencement ceremony of Optics Valley International Community was held on Dec 15 at the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC).

The international community is a designated residential community especially set aside for international residents, with surrounding support facilities. It is seen as being an initiative that will attract more top-flight international personnel to come and live and work in Optics Valley, driving its development forwards.

The event was attended among others by Martin Walley, Britain's deputy Counsul General in Wuhan, as well as Rudolphe Girault, economic counsul at the French consulate there, officials of OVC's management and various working committees, with representatives from local hospitals and education groups present.

Situated at the center of the Optics Valley Sci-Tech Innovation Corridor and in the core area of the Hubei East Lake Science City, the international community will cover a planned land area of 191,800 square meters.

Based on the diverse needs of foreign talent, the community will include high-rise accommodations, detached houses and apartments, to create a varied living space. Support facilities including healthcare, education, sports, culture and commerce will be soon be put in place.

A rendering of the international community once completed. [Photo/Optics Valley of China]

Erica Davis, deputy principal for Academics of Wuhan Campus of Ulink Education Group, has been living and teaching in Wuhan for five years. Deeply amazed by Optics Valley's urban progress, which has now surrounded the campus with modernized and garden-style communities, she hoped to be among the first group of residents of the international community.

The construction of the project is seen as being of great significance for Optics Valley to attract international talent and boost its urban development. The community is expected to become a landmark international community and a platform for OVC to interact with the world, said Wang Xiangwang, secretary of the OVC working committee.

The Optics Valley International Community will reportedly serve as a new starting point for the valley to explore the international community governance system locally, further optimize a bilingual language environment and strengthen international cultural exchanges.