The OSDL (Open Source Development Labs) will open an office in the Chinese capital of Beijing, where it will work with government agencies and IT companies to improve and promote Linux. China has a rapidly growing Linux software market and is a priority for the OSDL.

The OSDL already works closely with the Chinese Ministry of Information Industry (MII) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and boasts several China-based members, including Beijing Co-Create Open Source Software Company and the Beijing Software Testing Center.

The OSDL says it chose Beijing because many IT organizations and government agencies are headquartered there. The OSDL's new Beijing office will be staffed locally and will work with the OSDL on technical, business, and marketing initiatives.

CCID Consulting, a Chinese IT research firm, has estimated that the Linux server software market in China will enjoy a 49.3 percent CAGR (compound annual growth rate) over the next five years. China is a top priority for the OSDL, according to the organization's Head of Asia Masanobu Hirano. “We look forward to partnering with MII, MOST and other governmental organizations in helping customers and vendors in the Chinese market move to Linux,” said Hirano.

Ding Wen Wu of the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) said, “We recognize that Linux marks a great opportunity for the expansion of the software industry in China.”

Dr. Gao Lin of the China Electronics Standardization Institute (CESI) said, “We share the common goal of accelerating the adoption of Linux.”

OSDL CEO Stuart Cohen said, “China is a leader in embracing Linux. The government is promoting Linux, a vibrant local software industry is blossoming around Linux, and the world's leading IT firms are investing heavily to deliver Linux-based computing solutions to Chinese customers.”

The OSDL also has offices in the US and Japan.

 
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