The VII International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics (AOP2026) was held from July 7 to 10, 2026, at the Lisbon School of Engineering (ISEL) in Lisbon, Portugal. Professors Yidong Huang and Wei Zhang attended the conference. Professor Wei Zhang delivered a keynote talk titled "Quantum photonic chips for quantum entanglement distribution networks," in which he presented the latest research progress of our laboratory on using photonic quantum chips to realize quantum entanglement distribution network functionalities, attracting widespread attention from the attendees. Professor Yidong Huang participated in the ICO Bureau Meeting held concurrently and introduced the preparation status of the Chinese Optical Society for organizing the 27th Congress of ICO (ICO 2027).

The AOP conference series focuses on the latest advancements in Optics and Photonics and is dedicated to fostering meaningful academic dialogue, research collaboration, and the exchange of impactful ideas. The seventh edition aims to continue this tradition by promoting effective knowledge sharing and interdisciplinary collaboration, and by providing a platform for the dissemination and discussion of recent findings and technological breakthroughs.