A new policy from China's governing body states that all government ministries must buy only locally produced software at the next upgrade cycle.
The State Council's move, aimed at breaking the dominance of Microsoft on desktop computers, will eliminate Microsoft's Windows operating system and Office productivity suite from hundreds of thousands of Chinese government computers over the next few years.
Gao Zhigang, an official with the Procurement Center of the State Council, told reporters that the new policy will be in place by year's end.
At a special congress held to encourage ministries to upgrade to WPS Office 2003, a China-made office productivity suite, Gao said that the government will purchase only hardware preinstalled with domestic operating systems and applications. Those seeking exceptions will need to submit a special request.
The new policy is expected to increase the number of government officials using domestic-made office software from one-third to 100 percent eventually. Gao said the new policy is meant to support the local software industry and protect the state's information security.
Microsoft had been on a charm offensive, including granting the government inspection rights over Windows source code and creating a new CEO position for greater China.
The new policy will continue until at least until 2010. The protections are standard and are not meant to discriminate against other countries, the council stated. China is a member of the World Trade Organization, and it is unclear if the new ban contravenes the body's charters.
http://news.com.com/2100-1012_3-5064978.html?tag=fd_top
The State Council's move, aimed at breaking the dominance of Microsoft on desktop computers, will eliminate Microsoft's Windows operating system and Office productivity suite from hundreds of thousands of Chinese government computers over the next few years.
Gao Zhigang, an official with the Procurement Center of the State Council, told reporters that the new policy will be in place by year's end.
At a special congress held to encourage ministries to upgrade to WPS Office 2003, a China-made office productivity suite, Gao said that the government will purchase only hardware preinstalled with domestic operating systems and applications. Those seeking exceptions will need to submit a special request.
The new policy is expected to increase the number of government officials using domestic-made office software from one-third to 100 percent eventually. Gao said the new policy is meant to support the local software industry and protect the state's information security.
Microsoft had been on a charm offensive, including granting the government inspection rights over Windows source code and creating a new CEO position for greater China.
The new policy will continue until at least until 2010. The protections are standard and are not meant to discriminate against other countries, the council stated. China is a member of the World Trade Organization, and it is unclear if the new ban contravenes the body's charters.
http://news.com.com/2100-1012_3-5064978.html?tag=fd_top