Optical design and fabrication in China

In recent years, the Chinese optical industry has been growing with an amazing speed, in the forms of joint ventures, private enterprises and government supported investments. The current status of optical design and fabrication in China is outlined. Optical design software packages commonly used in the country are listed and their features summarized. Example manufacture capacities are given for typical companies in areas including optical glasses, lens elements and commercial products such as telescopes, microscopes, camera lenses, etc. Recent developments such as aspheric lens fabrication and diffractive element study are briefed. Efforts made in Beijing Institute of Technology to promote closer and more convenient international cooperation in optical industry are described.