Microsoft Supports “Government On-Line” Project in Shenzhen, China

SHENZHEN, China, March 10, 1999 — Microsoft today announced a donation of software and support to Government On-Line, a project by the Shenzhen government to improve government efficiency, transparency and quality of service, and to enable the sharing of information.

At a ceremony in Shenzhen, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Bill Gates stressed his support for the project. “The Internet is having an increasingly significant impact on our society, changing the way we work, learn, communicate and live,” he said. “Microsoft is committed to helping build the ‘digital nervous systems’ that will lead to our digital future. We will fortify cooperation with all parties, including the Chinese government, to accelerate the development of the information industry, with the government setting an example of leadership through this project.”



(L-R) Michael Rawding, Bill Gates, SETC Vice Minister Shi Wan-Peng and SETC Information Center Deputy Director Liu Li in Shenzhen, China

The Government On-Line project was initiated by China Telecom, the State Economic and Trade Commission (SETC) and more than 40 government ministries. Its core mission, to use information technology to help all levels of government transform themselves from a management-oriented to a service-oriented mission, receives extensive support from all levels of government.

Microsoft will donate a wide variety of software to the initiative, including Windows NT Server, SQL Server 7.0 and Exchange. This software will serve as the backbone for the project. In addition, the company will provide technical support and consulting services to these ministries for the implementation of this project.

“Microsoft commits great attention and support to the Government On-Line project, which has strategic importance to the development of China’s information industry,” said Juliet Wu, general manager of Microsoft China Ltd. “The donation we are making today represents our commitment to helping the government promote and implement this cross-century project.”

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