14 DAY TRIAL // China is slowly becoming forbidden land for Microsoft, but the Redmond-based tech giant is trying to solve all local issues with its products by discussing with government officials every single issue that might prevent them from adopting its software.
After Windows 8, Microsoft Office might have a similar fate in China, with some reports coming from local media revealing that the central government is also planning to block the productivity suite in the country.
Although such rumors might make sense at some level given the fact that China is also trying to promote its own products, including a Linux-based operating system and Kingsoft's Office productivity suite, Microsoft says that all these reports are “completely untrue.”
China Daily talked to a local Microsoft official who denied the reports and said that the company was already discussing with the Chinese government on any potential restriction upon its products.
“We have contacted the Ministry of Finance, the governing body of government procurement projects. They had no idea of the ruling as well,” the company representative was quoted as saying.
At the same time, Microsoft continues talks with the Chinese government over Windows 8, as the local authorities last month decided to block installation of this particular operating system on their computers.
Microsoft has told us in a mailed statement that Windows 7 is pushed as a potential replacement for Windows 8 until talks come to a conclusion, saying that it's discussing with government agencies on any matter that could make its products blocked in the country.
“We were surprised to learn about the reference to Windows 8 in this notice. Microsoft has been working proactively with the Central Government Procurement Center and other government agencies through the evaluation process to ensure that our products and services meet all government procurement requirements. We have been and will continue to provide Windows 7 to government customers. At the same time we are working on the Window 8 evaluation with relevant government agencies,” the company spokesperson was quoted as saying.
In the meantime, China is developing its own Linux-based operating system and hopes that customers would eventually give it a shot, especially because it would provide enhanced security and stability. Of course, it remains to be seen whether Chinese users are ready to give up on Windows for Linux, but there's no doubt that this mission is going to be quite a challenge for everyone working on this open source operating system.