That certainly could allow China to take its place on the world stage as a software-producing country. Several domestic Chinese versions of Linux, two of them backed by government agencies, are already on the market. Linux development was the only software project on a list of the government's top technology priorities published last year. Linux software is widely praised in the Chinese press while Microsoft is frequently criticized. With the dawn of a new century, an alternative is making its entrance in the form of Linux, and is making many Chinese optimistic about the future.
Foreign companies see opportunities, too.
TurboLinux's investors include chip maker Intel, computer makers Dell, Compaq and China's Legend, and a blue-chip list of foreign software companies. We've been asked by government departments to host seminars. China has been somewhat behind in software development. All of a sudden they don't need to depend on the West or anyone. China's government and computer industry are interested in Linux for several reasons, industry executives say.