China targets own operating system to take on likes of Microsoft, Google

China could have a new homegrown operating system by October to take on imported rivals such as Microsoft, Google, and Apple. The operating system would first appear on desktop devices and later extend to smartphone and other mobile devices, Xinhua said, citing Ni Guangnan who heads an official OS development alliance. Guangnan said he hoped domestically-built software would be able to replace desktop operating systems within one to two years and mobile operating systems within three to five years. Some Chinese OS already existed, but there was a large gap between China’s technology and that of developed countries, he added.

We hope to launch a Chinese-made desktop operating system by October supporting app stores.

Ni Guangnan, head of an official OS development alliance

In May, China banned government use of Windows 8, Microsoft’s latest operating system, a blow to the U.S. technology firm’s business which raised fears China was moving to protect domestic firms. Microsoft is also under investigation for anti-trust violations. In March last year, China said that Google had too much control over China’s smartphone industry via its Android mobile operating system and has discriminated against some local firms.

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