Ciena Corp. said yesterday that it has opened a sales office in Beijing. The opening marks another step in the Linthicum company's effort to sell its telecommunications equipment in Asia.

"We see a large market opportunity in China, and we want to be there so we can capture some of that business," Ciena spokesman Denny Bilter said.

Ciena has not announced any contracts in China, and Bilter would not comment on whether the company has lined up any deals there.

Ciena said yesterday that Lin Chao will be the general manager of the Beijing office. Before joining Ciena this year, Lin was with Advanced Fibre Communications Inc. of Petaluma, Calif.

As it tries to rebound from disappointing earnings, lost American contracts and the collapse of its planned merger with Tellabs Inc., Ciena has increasingly turned to the Asian market. This month, Ciena announced deals with two Japanese phone companies, Japan Telecom Co. and DDI Corp.

Ciena said it plans to demonstrate its equipment, which allows phone lines to handle more calls and Internet messages, at a trade show in Beijing late next month.

Pub Date: 9/30/98