The East Lake High-tech Development Zone is a main participating body in Wuhan's national sci-tech innovation center construction. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

In April 2022, Wuhan, located in Hubei province, gained approval to construct a nationally influential sci-tech innovation center, becoming the fifth such center in the country.

Wuhan ranked fifth in the National City Innovation Capacity Evaluation Report (2022). In the Global Innovation Index Report (2023), issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization, Wuhan's global sci-tech cluster entered the top 15 for the first time, ranking 13th globally and 5th nationally.

On June 2, 2023, a national major sci-tech infrastructure project for deep rock and soil engineering disturbance simulation was launched in East Lake Science City, which is located in the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC), Wuhan.

Using precision gravity measurement facilities, scientists achieved a breakthrough in quantum core technology, and raised the purity of the Reedberg single-photon source to over 99.9 percent. The OVC Lab has successfully engineered a 400-microjoule femtosecond laser.

Wuhan is currently home to one national laboratory, six major sci-tech facilities, 10 provincial laboratories, 30 national key laboratories, and 452 new R&D institutions.

In October 2023, Hubei province hosted the Donghu Forum, a national-level convention that focuses on promoting science popularization and the integration of sci-tech innovation through interactive activities.

In the next decade, Hubei will focus on optoelectronic information, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and the digital economy. The goal is to create 1-trillion-yuan ($139.3 billion) industries and build a number of innovative industrial clusters.