A Chinese developed computer operating system for servers that is said to be more secure than other server software has been used in national defense.

The Kylin operating system has passed an assessment by a panel of experts from the state 863 Hi-tech Research and Development Program office on Monday.

The Kylin system is compatible with mainstream operating systems and supports multiple microprocessors and computers of different structures.

The system has obtained authentication of the international Linux Standard Base and Free Standards Group, developers said.

Operating systems in China are mainly products developed overseas, said officials with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), adding that it is a national strategy to develop China-owned computer software.

The Kylin server operating system was funded by a government-sponsored program and developed by the University of Science and Technology for National Defense.

Currently, the university has signed an agreement with the LENOVO, the world third largest manufacturer of personal computers, for production and application of the Kylin system.

It is now being applied in the fields of finance, governance, education and stock, and has also worked successfully in information systems of national defence, the university said.

The successful development of the Kylin operating system is significant progress for China's operating system research and development, the MOST said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2006)