Sino-French cooperation has reached a new milestone. The French VirtualExpo Group, a leader in global online exhibitions (and the publisher of DirectIndustry e-magazine), has officially established its China headquarters in Optics Valley of China (OVC). This partnership is set to open new international opportunities for Chinese manufacturing enterprises while reinforcing VirtualExpo’s global presence and expanding market reach.
On August 28, VirtualExpo Group officially established its China Headquarters in Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Development Zone also known as Optics Valley of China (OVC). This collaboration between the two entities is aimed at expanding global market access.
The signing ceremony gathered key attendees including OVC officials and top executives from VirtualExpo, including Chief Sales Officer Janusz Groth, COO Liu Qiongyao, and Amy Qiu, VE China Sales Director.
During the ceremony, OVC stated:
“We are very pleased to see the French VirtualExpo Group establishing its China Headquarters in Optics Valley. As a global leader in online marketing platforms, we welcome VirtualExpo to seize the opportunities presented by the ‘World Optics Valley’ initiative and help more companies enter international markets.”
Janusz Groth, Chief Sales Officer of VirtualExpo Group China, also expressed strong confidence in the development prospects in Optics Valley of China. On behalf of VirtualExpo Group, he pledged to continue increasing investments in technology, capital, and talent at the China headquarters, fully integrating into the Chinese market, and assisting Chinese manufacturing enterprises in expanding internationally.
Alliance With a High-Tech Hub
VirtualExpo Group’s decision to establish its China headquarters in OVC is a strategic move. Optics Valley is indeed a key national high-tech zone. It is the second national independent innovation demonstration zone and part of the China (Hubei) Free Trade Zone.
Home to eight sub-districts, including biotech and optoelectronics parks, it hosts over 145,000 enterprises, including 5,700 high-tech firms and 66 publicly listed companies.
With a population of 1.2 million, Optics Valley has established itself as a global leader in optoelectronics, bio-industry, and environmental protection. It leads the world in optical fiber production, optoelectronic devices, and laser technology. It is there that China’s first optical fiber and first optoelectronic transmission system were developed.
Optics Valley has also pioneered the development of critical technologies and a globally leading 65,000-channel brain-computer interface chip. Globally renowned companies such as China Information and Communication Technologies Group Corporation (CICT), Huagong Tech, HG Laser, and Guide Infrared have emerged from this zone.
Today, Optics Valley is the world’s largest producer of optical fiber and cable (with over 25% of the global market and 60% of the domestic market), the largest production base for optoelectronic devices (holding over 12% of the global market), and a leading center for small- and medium-sized display panels (ranked first globally in LTPS panel shipments). It is also one of the largest laser industry bases (holding first place in China and second globally for fiber laser market share) and is making strategic advances in future industries such as artificial intelligence, smart connected vehicles, and brain science.
In 2023, its GDP reached 271.5 billion RMB (€35 billion), contributing 4.87% to Hubei Province’s economy. It is also home to 42 higher education institutions, and over 300,000 technical professionals, and fosters global collaboration with more than 1,200 foreign enterprises, including nearly 100 Fortune 500 companies.
Therefore, by tapping into this tech-rich zone, VirtualExpo gains direct access to a thriving industrial ecosystem.
As part of this collaboration, VirtualExpo will provide Optics Valley companies with global market exposure through its B2B online platforms. VirtualExpo Group has indeed a leading position in the global online exhibition industry with its six vertical B2B platforms in industry, healthcare, architecture, marine, aerospace, and agricultural machinery. This expertise will help connect Chinese companies to international buyers, allowing them to showcase their products more effectively and achieve global product and brand upgrades.
Strengthening Sino-French Cooperation
France and China have a robust economic relationship, with significant investments flowing between the two countries. France is currently China’s third-largest trading partner and the third-largest source of real investments in the European Union. On the other hand, China is France’s fourth-largest trading partner globally. China is a key market for French exports, particularly in sectors like aerospace, luxury goods, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.
According to the French Treasury, in 2022, the two countries exchanged approximately €110 billion in goods and services.
Examples of Sino-French cooperation in the aerospace and semiconductor industries are notable. In 2023, Airbus expanded its presence in China by launching a second final assembly line for the A320 in Tianjin. Additionally, STMicroelectronics, a leading French-Italian semiconductor manufacturer, partnered to develop a joint venture in Chongqing, focusing on the production of silicon carbide chips, which are vital for energy-efficient applications in electric vehicles and renewable energy. These projects highlight the growing industrial ties between China and France. On the other hand, Chinese tech giants such as Huawei and Alibaba have substantial operations in France
Despite challenges such as trade imbalances and geopolitical tensions, the economic relationship continues to grow, with regular high-level dialogues and state visits aimed at enhancing collaboration such as President Xi Jinping’s state visit to France last May.
By establishing its headquarters in Wuhan, VirtualExpo reaffirms its dedication to strengthening Sino-French collaboration and supporting Chinese companies in expanding their global presence.
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