China has released its first homegrown open-source desktop operating system, named OpenKylin, state media said, as the country steps up efforts to cut reliance on US technology.
Released on Wednesday, and based on the existing open-source Linux operating system, China's version was built by a community of about 4,000 developers, and is used in its space programme and industries such as finance and energy, they added.
China's massive market for operating systems was worth 15.5 billion yuan ($2.1 billion) last year, state media said, citing an industry report.
Developing an operating system independent of US technology has been an important goal for China's tech industry in recent years, with many companies and organisations having contributed to the development of the OpenKylin system.
It most notable backer is the China Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team under the purview of the industry and information technology ministry.
More than a dozen Chinese companies are trying to develop operating systems that could replace Microsoft's Windows and Apple's MacOS operating systems.
One such company, UnionTech Software Technology Co Ltd, has been developing what it calls the "Unity operating system".
($1=7.2472 Chinese yuan renminbi)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Wealthy China Couples Are Employing "Professionals" To Fulfill Their Parental Duties Telangana Man Dies In US, Family Asks Government To Help Bring Back His Body Tips For Navigating The Ivy League Admission Process Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests For Debate Against Kamala Harris, Donald Trump Picks This Hindu American "Illusion": Hamas Official Dismisses US Optimism Over Gaza Ceasefire Talks 2 Killed In West Bank Strike, Israel Says It Targeted "Terrorist Cell'' 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Russia, Several Aftershocks Recorded Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.