The export represents a breakthrough for China's software industry.

The software has Chinese, English and Japanese versions and is capable of translating in a variety of ways between the three languages.

"Going abroad has been our long-term goal,'' said Lei Jun, CEO of Kingsoft.

The overseas market is more friendly to software developers because there is less of a problem with illegal copying and copyright infringement, according to Lei.

Still, Kingsoft is playing it safe.

To fight potential pirate software , Kingsoft reduced its price to 38 yuan (US$4.59) which was described by some buyers as "unbelievable low." But the price is still high when compared with the price of pirated copies, which can cost as little as 20 yuan (US$2.41).

"In the overseas market, our profit margin will be much wider, with a price around US$38," Lei said.

"And we can escape from the threat of pirating," he added.

Given the likelihood that foreign software will enter the Chinese market without any trade barriers after the WTO entry, Lei sees Kingsoft's move as a sort of practice for the tough competition that looms ahead.

Kingsoft's new translation software includes 260 million words and 7 million phrases with 78 professional vocabulary libraries based on 20 major careers.

The first version of the translation software sold over 3 million units.

To support the new translation software, Kingsoft has launched the website www.iciba.net, where users can download new words and use the online dictionary for free after purchasing the basic programme.

(China Daily 10/18/2000)