\tChina directed all government offices and public institutions to replace non-domestic computer equipment and software with home-grown alternatives within three years, Financial Times (FT) reported.<\/p>\n
The move is considered to be retaliation to a US government export ban [1] on Huawei, and is tipped as a blow to companies including Microsoft, HP and Dell.<\/p>\n
China\u2019s government issued the demand earlier this year, with the details only coming to light after employees from two cybersecurity companies told FT their clients had revealed the details.<\/p>\n
Beijing apparently set specific targets for the replacement of non-domestic technology, providing a boost to companies including Huawei and ZTE as they continue to face troubles in the US and other international markets.<\/p>\n
As well as banning Huawei from buying US-made equipment in May, the US government also embarked on an international campaign [2] to press its allies to block the vendor from 5G rollouts on security grounds.<\/p>\n
Major programme
\nAnalysts at brokerage China Securities told FT between 20 million and 30 million pieces of hardware would have to be replaced as a result of the order, with around half the substitutions taking place in 2021.<\/p>\n
Government offices already use Lenovo desktop computers.<\/p>\n
Hardware, however, may not be the biggest challenge: many of the offices in question rely on Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS, which must be replaced with Chinese-developed operating systems.<\/p>\n
One known alternative is Kylin OS, but it is challenged by having a smaller pool of developers to produce software.<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/home-banner\/huawei-lands-on-us-trade-blacklist\/
\n[2] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/home-banner\/deutsche-telekom-puts-5g-deals-on-hold\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
China directed all government offices and public institutions to replace non-domestic computer equipment and software …<\/p>\n
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