The optical fiber preform developed and produced by Wuhan Changjin Photonics Technology Co. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

On April 24, the administrative committee of the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC) signed a cooperation agreement with Wuhan Changjin Photonics Technology Co to build Changjin Photonics' high-performance special optical fiber production base and research center in the valley.

Founded in 2012, Changjin Photonics is a high-tech enterprise engaged in the research, production, and sale of special optical fibers as well as the provision of technical services. It is also a national-level specialized and sophisticated "little giant" enterprise.

The chairman of the company, Li Jinyan, is a professor at the Wuhan National Laboratory of Optoelectronics at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and is an influential academic leader in the domestic special optical fiber industry. The company's core technical team members all hold doctoral degrees and have extensive research experience in well-known research institutions.

Under the agreement, Changjin Photonics will invest 1.5 billion yuan ($211.5 million) to establish its headquarters base, production facilities, material foundations, and advanced photonics research center in the Wuhan East Lake Free Trade Zone (FTZ). It is expected to further promote the localization of special optical fibers.