New Law In China To End Microsoft's Dominance
Found on Financial Express on Saturday, 28 February 2004
BEIJING, FEB 27: For years, China has been trying to end Microsoft Corp.'s monopoly on its computers. It has tried to develop its own operating system. It has appealed to the patriotism of consumers. Now, it is turning to the law.
"When the government purchasing law comes out, Linux will win a piece of the market," said Fang Xingdong, chairman of China Laboratory, an independent software consulting firm. "Of course, the party that will be most affected will be Microsoft."
"If a software program is dominant for a long time, it's harmful for the development of the software industry," said Li Wuqiang of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
China tries very hard to keep foreign influences outside; at least those the gov considers dangerous. In the end however, they will not succeed. Just change what Li Wuqiang said a little: "If a dictatorship is dominant for a long time, it's harmful for the development of the democracy"