“Microsoft has won approval from Beijing to sell its Windows
2000 software in China, laying to rest fears that new rules on
encryption technology would snarl the product launch later this
month.”
“China began enforcing rules in January that require companies
and individuals to register their encryption products with the
government, then apply for permission to use them.”
“Many executives fear the rules are the first step towards an
outright ban of the sale in China of foreign encryption technology,
which is embedded in everything from software and mobile phones to
cable television systems and Internet servers.”
“By approving Windows 2000, scheduled for launch in China on
March 20, the State Encryption Management Commission appears
capable of enforcing the rules flexibly…”
“Microsoft dominates the Chinese market, installed in about
60 percent in China-based Web servers, the company said. The rest
of the market is divided between several competitors, such as Linux
and Netscape.”