BTI Systems is opening shop in China, teaming up with Wuhan FiberHome Networks Co. Ltd. (FHN) to expand business in Asia. The Ottawa-based photonics company will co-develop new products with FHN, leverage its carrier-grade packet optical networking technologies and FHN’s expertise in Ethernet switches, Internet protocol routing technology and hi-def video systems. BTI says it is planning to hire 15 Chinese staff at the new Shanghai division, which will strengthen ties with its Asian partners as well as with FHN. The new partnership will also give BTI access to FHN’s parent company FiberHome Group, home to 9,000 employees and the first organization to pull optical fibre in China.