On July 29, 2019, the “Inception Workshop on the Muztaghata 1.93-m Optical Telescope” was held in Artux city, Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang. More than 69 participants from over 22 institutes and governmental units attended the Workshop. An agreement on the cooperation and coordination of the 1.93-m optical telescope construction project at muztaghata site was signed by the leaders from Peking University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics &Technology and Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory (XAO).

During the Workshop, leaders from the government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the government of Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture stated that this project represented not only a significant step to the optical facility construction in the western China, but also a vigorous promotion for the development of the scientific culture and scientific talents cultivation in Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, including even the southern Xinjiang. Gaining great support from government at all levels, this project has played an important role in the development of astronomy in Xinjiang.

Jointly built by the universities and institutes, the 1.93-m optical telescope will be the largest optical telescope upon completion, and it will be ranked the third in optical telescope construction projects in China. With an estimated cost of 120 million RMB, the project is expected to complete in 2022.