The 2005 Golden Penguin Greater China Open Source Software Competition A Resounding Success

HONG KONG, Oct. 17 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Sun Wah Linux Limited (Hong Kong) announced today the successful completion of the 2005 Golden Penguin Greater China Open Source Software Competition on 14 October in Hong Kong. This is the largest OSS competition jointly organized by Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan and the Macau SAR. It aims at promoting the research and strategic development of new software, and encouraging the development and establishment of Open Source Software (OSS) in the Greater China Region.

Jointly organized by Hong Kong Sun Wah Hi-Tech Education Foundation, Co-Create Software Branch of the Chinese Software Industry Association and Taipei Computer Association Taiwan Linux Consortium, and co-organized by the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center, the competition has seen support from all areas including, industry associations, academic societies, trade organizations, universities, graduate schools, open source communities and business corporations.

The event was also well received among Linux enterprises and researchers in the Greater China Region. This activity has great significance on software development in the region as it will help transfer Linux, a trademark of the entire OSS system, into a more user-friendly, practical and widely-adopted platform. The event also strengthens the ties among Linux developers.

About 150 softwares from the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR have participated in this competition, of which all softwares are in use. One of the objectives of this Competition is to recognize the achievements of the OS developers. The competition comprises of three categories, namely ''Open Source Software Product Application Award,'' ''Open Source Software Innovative Development Award'' and ''Outstanding Contribution Award.'' A panel of judges from the four places have selected the outstanding softwares based on product application and design innovation. They also gave awards to industry figures who have significant contribution on promotion, education, training and research in the sector.

Mr. Ma Song-da, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, has sent his congratulatory message to the organizers, giving his full support to this event. He said: ''The Ministry of Science and Technology of the PRC has always encouraged and fostered software technology development. The Golden Penguin Greater China Open Source Software Competition is a golden opportunity to help establish the ties and enhance communications among the OSS communities in the Greater China Region.''

Mr. Jonathan Choi Koon-Shum, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sun Wah Hi-Tech Education Foundation said: ''Sun Wah Hi-Tech Group has been involved in setting up Linux Standard in China and has initiated Linux alliance among China, Japan and Korea. The Group also helps train OSS professionals and promote international co-operation on Linux, OSS and other technology areas."

Mr. Wang Guo Li, Deputy Director General of the Education, Science and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr. Stephen Mak, Deputy Government Chief Information Officer of the HK SAR Government; Mr. Tong Chi Kin, Member of the Executive Council of Macau SAR and Ms. Lee Yong Ping, Legislator of the Legislative Alliance for Science and Technology, Taiwan all attended the ceremony.

Also attending are Mr. Zhao Yuhai, Director Commissioner, Co-Create Software League of PRC and Mr. Richard Chang, Chairman of the Taipei Computer Association Taiwan Linux Consortium.

Mr. Wan Chun Lau, a doctoral student from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, is very excited as one of the awardees of the Open Source Software Product Application Award. He saidP: ''Winning the award among strong competitors in the region is certainly not an easy task. I'm delighted that my design, Network Emulator EMIP-2 I, is recognized by the judges. I hope my work will be widely used in the future.''

Apart from the competition, the organizers have arranged conferences for participants, allowing them to exchange ideas on the development and cooperation of Open Source Software. The competition does not only serve as a platform for communication among Linux developers, it also aims to enhance the exchange of ideas, talent search as well as recommendations on open source software solutions. During the conferences, professionals had an in-depth dialogue on the rapid development of open source software in the PRC and Taiwan.

OSS, currently led by Linux, is gaining momentum. The software has expanded from the server domain to the desktop domain, embedded system and information technology safety domain. The robust growth has drawn attention from the software industry. The rise and development of open source software is gradually changing the mode of development of the software industry and has provided new alternatives to users. Not only does the government of many countries promote the use of open source software, well-known IT corporations have also given solid support to Linux, providing business opportunities for the Linux technology. About Sun Wah Linux Limited

Established in 2000, Sun Wah Linux Limited is a member of Sun Wah Group, a well-known multinational enterprise. Sun Wah Linux Limited provides robust operating system software and comprehensive open source software solutions to enterprises worldwide. As one of the earliest Linux developers in China, Sun Wah Linux searches for Linux betterment by supporting open source projects and organizations that are dedicated to the increase of awareness and the improvement of Linux and open- source systems. The company also strives to provide one-stop Linux services to global clients. Having the most comprehensive Linux resources in the PRC, Sun Wah Linux has a great variety of products and technology, from desktop and service system to embedded Linux. Sun Wah Linux has become one of the leading Linux corporations in PRC. For more information, please contact: Sharon of Sun Wah Linux Limited (Hong Kong)

Tel: +852-2250-0238