As part of China’s broader push to reduce its dependence on foreign products and services, particularly those originating in the United States, some government bodies are reportedly moving away from Microsoft’s Windows operating system in favour of Linux-based alternatives, which boast a penguin as their recognizable logo.
The move comes as Beijing seeks to strengthen what it describes as digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on American technology, as tech outlet ZDNet reports. Linux, an open-source operating system originally developed in the early 1990s by Finnish programmer Linus Torvalds, is expected to form the basis of some of the alternatives.
China has ordered several government agencies to replace Windows 10 China Government Edition with Chinese-developed Linux distributions as part of a planned transition away from the Microsoft operating system.
The decision not to transition to Windows 11 could also be interpreted as a sign of concerns over the operating system’s data collection and privacy features, according to a recent Bloomberg report on the development.
China has been gradually distancing itself from US companies across multiple areas, including software, hardware and media, as Beijing seeks greater control over its technology infrastructure.
Chinese officials have raised concerns about the digital security of Windows. Microsoft, however, told Bloomberg that it was not aware of any security incidents involving Windows 10 China Government Edition and said the system continued to receive regular security updates.
The specialized Chinese version of Windows was already scheduled to be retired in February 2027. The latest transition plans could bring its retirement forward to late 2026.
The move forms part of a broader effort by Beijing to replace foreign technology with domestically developed alternatives and reduce potential vulnerabilities associated with dependence on overseas suppliers.
Windows 10 China Government Edition was not developed entirely by Microsoft. It was created by Chinese company C&M Information Technologies (CMIT), which emerged from a 2016 joint venture between Microsoft and state-owned China Electronics Technology Group.
The customised version of Windows was designed to comply with Chinese government requirements. It includes localized activation and update mechanisms, removes certain Microsoft consumer services and supports Chinese cryptographic standards.
Despite these modifications, Chinese authorities have increasingly favoured domestic operating systems as geopolitical tensions with Washington have heightened concerns over the security and reliability of foreign technology.
Beijing has not yet revealed which Linux distributions will be adopted across government institutions. However, analysts expect the government to favour domestically developed Linux-based systems. Shares in Chinese Linux providers Kylin Software and Tongxin Software Technology, also known as UnionTech, rose after reports emerged that government agencies would replace Windows.
Huawei is also adapting its HarmonyOS operating system for personal computers. The platform, which originally emerged from the Android ecosystem but has evolved into a proprietary operating system, could eventually provide another domestic alternative.
However, developing and deploying the system on a large scale is expected to take time. KylinOS and UOS are currently among the more established Chinese Linux-based environments available for institutional deployment.
The transition to Linux will initially apply only to certain government bodies, rather than representing an immediate nationwide replacement of Windows. Nevertheless, the article notes, that the move underscores Beijing’s determination to reduce its reliance on US technology and strengthen control over the software used by government institutions.
By Nazrin Sadigova
