CIOMP produces local, loyal graduates for new area

China's first self-made, high-resolution commercial satellite, the JILIN-1, was launched in October 2015 by Chang Guang Satellite Technology located in Changchun New Area. It is the first satellite to be named after a province.

"In the past, satellites were used only for military and government purposes. The new commercial mode will significantly improve the flexibility of aerospace information sharing and reduce the costs of research and development of satellites," said Xuan Ming, president of Chang Guang Satellite Technology.

As the former president of the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xuan put forward his ideas for satellite research in 2012. Two years later, Chang Guang Satellite Technology was founded to undertake the JILIN-1 Satellite networking project.

"Northeast China has been regarded as a less developed area for many years. At first, they didn't believe we were capable of undertaking the project. Someone even asked me: 'How could it be possible to develop satellites in a place that only grows corn?' Eventually, we proved them wrong," Xuan said.

He said the city has great potential to develop high-tech industries thanks to its rich human resources and the scientific strength of Jilin University and three institutes under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"The satellite is like a camera flying in orbit," Xuan said. "Since Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics under Chinese Academy of Sciences, also known as CIOMP, has a long history of studying optical instruments, I believe we have the capacity to complete the project."

The local government has provided support to the company since the day it was founded.

"To research and develop satellites, we needed a high office building with consistent temperature, humidity and cleanliness. The local government built this specially-designed building to meet our demands."

According to Xuan, the company plans to launch 30 satellites every year for a total of 138 satellites expected to be in orbit by 2030.

An online trading platform for aerospace information is also under construction in the area. The platform will allow people from around the world to buy information via photos taken and transmitted by their satellites.

"Since Changchun has rich soil for the development of high-tech industries, we should try to innovate in fields where no one did before. I see a bright future for the city," said Xuan. The company commenced construction of the Aerospace Information Industrial Park in March, where the whole industrial chain, from R&D of satellites to information processing, will be included. The first phase of the park is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

Lighting the future

Another scientist from CIOMP, Wang Ruiguang, general manager of Changchun Cedar Electronics Technology, has made great contributions to the LED business of Changchun New Area.

"I can't wait to tell everyone that our company produced the street lamps on a whole street of Changchun," said Wang.

"Our street lamps use one-third less electricity than traditional lamps and can be used for 10 years. Passersby can read books under the lamps because the light is so warm and soft."

Founded in 2001, the company has been focused on the research, production and sale of LED screens, including those used by China Central Television, the Beijing subway system, the Jilin Highway Monitoring Center and advertising screens in Japan, Moscow and the United Arab Emirates.

He said the company is derived from a research group under CIOMP.

"When I worked at CIOMP as a teacher, our research project was to develop LED products with high density and high power," Wang said. "Cedar was built under the holdings of CIOMP to industrialize our research achievements in a broader market."

Wang said Changchun New Area gave support to the young company, both financially and spiritually.

"Officials from the local government often came to visit our company, caring about our development. They also provided us with scientific research funds and reduced or exempted taxes."

He said many of the employees were professors and doctors from CIOMP, including his 70-year-old teacher.

The company's business will be expanded to the application of LED in agriculture, human's health, and aquaculture. The total sales are expected to reach 300 million yuan ($43.2 million) in 2017.

"Many people encouraged us to move to southern China, but I said 'no'. I was born and raised in Northeast China. Changchun has four distinctive seasons which I am already used to. And these years it has improved a lot in infrastructure, traffic and ecological environment," he said. "Besides, Changchun New Area has given us great support, for which I feel so grateful. The environment could benefit enterprises' growth and prosperity."

(China Daily 02/13/2017 page25)