Effective fixes require that computer code be reviewed line by line. Hardware varies widely, and most companies or government bodies have no backup equipment to use while their computers are being fixed. The bigger challenge, though, may be getting businesses to place priority on Y2K when formerly cosseted state industries are failing and China's exports are being walloped by the Asian economic crisis. For a lot of companies, the Y2K problem is still not in the picture. IBM's Chow said China may be able to lessen the damage by dealing with the most crucial systems first.
Aviation remains a major area of uncertainty.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China says it licked the bug in its ticket bookings system in July and work is on schedule to deal with departure and cargo-handling systems. However, Hong Kong consultants studying the industry say efforts seem to have receded because the airlines have run into financial trouble. China's two stock exchanges will likely meet the deadline with the help of foreign consultants, the investment company Merrill Lynch says. The China Securities Regulatory Commission is threatening to suspend any company that doesn't pass muster. But few other industries are taking the initiative in dealing with the bug, Merrill Lynch said.