China releases its first open-source computer operating system to reduce dependency on US technology

According to state media, which cited an industry report, the enormous operating systems market in China last year was valued 15.5 billion yuan ($2.1 billion).

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.

Its most notable backer is the China Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team under the purview of the industry and information technology ministry, along with over 10 other software companies.

OpenKylin is said to contribute to the iteration and upgrading of the domestic operating system; ensure security in critical areas such as government affairs, finance, communications, energy, and transportation; and provide dependable fundamental software services to the country's IT industrial chain.

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".