The 2026 annual working meeting of the first Academic Committee of the State Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber and Cable Manufacture Technology (SKL) was held at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). Attendees included Yi LUO, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of SKL, Li JIN, vice president of SUSTech, Ziqian LIU, general manager of the Science and Technology Innovation Department of China Telecom Corporation Limited, Dan ZHUANG, executive director and president of Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC), as well as heads of relevant departments and faculties.

Approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the State Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber and Cable Manufacture Technology is led by YOFC, in partnership with China Telecom and SUSTech. The laboratory focuses on three major areas, advanced manufacturing of optical fibers and cables, new types of optical fibers, and next-generation optical transmission technologies. 

In his speech, Li JIN said that optical communication technology is a strategic foundation supporting the development of the digital economy. The laboratory is focusing on four main research directions, frontier and marine communication, laser and gain fiber, extreme environment applications, and next-generation preform fiber manufacturing. SUSTech will fully leverage the advantages of interdisciplinary integration as a new type of research university and, together with partners like China Telecom and YOFC, carry out deep collaboration. It aims to connect the full technology chain from “materials-devices-systems-applications,” continuously strengthen support and safeguards, and help the laboratory become a world-class hub for optical fiber and cable research. 

Yi LUO presented the lab’s annual work progress report. The meeting reviewed the lab’s phased results in the four research directions, frontier and marine communication fiber and cable technology, laser and gain fiber technology, optical fiber and cable technology for extreme environment applications, and next-generation preform fiber manufacturing technology. The attending directors had in-depth discussions on topics like lab operation and management mechanisms, resource allocation optimization, and industry-university-research collaborative innovation, and made plans for the lab’s next key tasks. The board also reviewed matters related to the lab’s acceptance evaluation preparation, the establishment of open projects, and joint talent training. After full discussion, the meeting reached multiple consensus points, laying a solid foundation for the lab’s standardized operation and high-quality development.