In a recent interview with Wu Yili from China News Service, we explored the dynamic technology and innovation landscape emerging in Hubei Province, which is drawing tourists with its captivating sci-fi experiences.
This year, self-driving cars and aerial rail trains have become integral components of Hubei’s “cultural tourism package” for international visitors, highlighting the exciting results of technological advancements. Hubei officials have projected that the automotive manufacturing sector, along with the “Opto-electronic Core, Screen, Terminal, and Network” industry, will surpass 1 trillion RMB this year.
A particularly noteworthy development is the rapid growth of Hezhima Intelligent Technology Co. in Wuhan, which recently became the first Chinese company to go public with autonomous driving chips. These chips, designed for autonomous driving and cross-domain integration, support features like automatic lane-keeping, parking, and smart cabin interfaces, with the goal of further enhancing urban autonomous driving capabilities.
As tourists enter their passwords and settle into their seats, the steering wheel of the self-driving cars begins to move on its own, transforming the streets of Wuhan into what feels like a scene from a sci-fi film. A range of autonomous driving technologies will also be trialed in Wuhan’s Economic Development Zone, aimed at commercial applications such as freight delivery, sanitation, and security. Currently, Wuhan holds the title for the world’s largest operational area for autonomous driving services.
Hubei, acknowledged as a pivotal center for the optoelectronic information industry, has experienced impressive growth in the “Opto-electronic Core, Screen, Terminal, and Network” sector. In the “Optics Valley of China,” over 5,700 high-tech firms have emerged, leading to significant innovations. For example, China Information Communication Technologies has broken world records in optical communication technology six times; Huagong Laser introduced the first fully domestically produced semiconductor laser cutting equipment; and the Jiufengshan Laboratory launched the world’s first 8-inch silicon photonic lithium niobate integrated wafer.
Zhuang Dan, Executive Director and President of Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company, reflected on the journey of China’s fiber optic industry. Over a decade ago, China faced challenges in producing its own fiber optic and cable products, but today, the company boasts complete domestic production capabilities with global orders flowing in.
Furthermore, Hubei is aggressively fostering collaborative innovation within the Optics Valley Science and Technology Innovation Corridor while fast-tracking the development of innovation centers in Xiangyang and Yichang. Recent data indicates that in 2023, Hubei surpassed 25,000 high-tech enterprises, along with over 35,000 technology-driven small and medium-sized enterprises.
Liu Jun, General Manager of the Jiufengshan Laboratory’s Process Center, shared insights on the establishment of a talent hub for compound semiconductors, which has attracted over 80% of technical personnel and nearly 70 high-level international talents in just over a year.
Transitioning from a school-run enterprise, Huagong Technology has established itself as a key player in Hubei’s optoelectronics sector, accelerating research and industrialization surrounding silicon optical chips and next-generation optical communication modules. The company is actively attracting top-tier talent to Wuhan with initiatives like the “Falcon Talent Program” and “PhD 100 Program,” aiming to recruit hundreds of master’s and doctoral graduates. Their partnerships with universities and research institutions encourage seamless connections between knowledge and technological innovation, along with innovation and industrial supply chains.
Recently, Hubei unveiled a strategic development roadmap for “integrated education and technology talent,” inspired by the aspiration to create a world-class cluster of large scientific facilities. This initiative aims to cultivate a synergistic environment that attracts high-level talent through major scientific projects. Additionally, there are concerted efforts to bolster collaborative industry-academia-research partnerships in establishing technology innovation institutions and enhancing pathways for talent development.
According to Xia Song, Deputy Director of Hubei’s Science and Technology Department, the province has amassed significant resources for technological innovation, featuring 23 central research institutions and 132 universities, with nearly 2 million students enrolled. Ten Hubei laboratories, established through collaborative efforts with universities, research organizations, and enterprises, have drawn close to 3,000 talented individuals across various fields.
