The launch ceremony of the metaverse for the OVC Expo. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

The metaverse for the Optics Valley of China International Optoelectronic Exposition and Forum (OVC Expo) was unveiled on Nov 11 in the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC).

The metaverse enables enterprises and other related institutions to participate in the expo online and have an immersive experience while looking through the exhibits. The platform attracted more than 400,000 people within just one hour of its launch, including Zhuang Dan, president of YOFC, Shen Weiming, a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Liang Zhihui, vice president of 360 Digital Security Group Co, while about 40 enterprises have registered in the metaverse.

Carlos Lee, secretary general of the European Photonics Industry Consortium, and Zhou Hongyi, founder and CEO of 360 Digital Security Group Co, delivered keynote speeches via video link.

An online visitor experiences the immersive exhibition in the metaverse. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

Created by OVC and 360, the metaverse includes a main page and four areas with different functions, and has set up exhibition halls, reception halls, a main venue and dialogue rooms. Enterprises on the platform can apply for virtual exhibition booths, design their virtual profiles, chat online with potential business partners, and exchange business cards.

With the metaverse, participants are able to learn about the cutting-edge optoelectronic products and technologies whenever they want.

The OVC Expo has been held for 18 times previously, reaching more than 30 countries, over 5,700 companies and 560,000 professional visitors, and has become one of China's most influential optoelectronics expositions.