For the size of its population, China has a relatively small number of computers at 10 million. In addition, it does not have an economy as reliant on technology as, for example, is the US.

One particular problem it does have, however, is that up to 90% of its software is estimated to be pirated. This has made it difficult, if not impossible, to contact the original manufacturer for help.

In addition, much of the country's hardware and software has come from a big range of countries and companies - making the eradication of the Y2K problem a nightmare.

The US embassy in Beijing has reported that, "many old computer systems, running half-forgotten program languages and complex systems configurations, increases Chinese exposure to the Year 2000 bug".

'It will not fail'

In 1998, the government ordered state ministries to complete any system changes by this March, but only 15% had even begun to do so by May.

Y2K supremo Zhang Qi has indicated that half of China's state-owned businesses have software problems and one third hardware problems.

One of the main areas of concern is the state power grid, though Zhang famously declared in April that although there were difficulties: "By order of the State Council, the power grid will not fail."

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), August 25, 1999