Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 20, 2003
China, Microsoft to bridge 'digital divide'
China's Ministry of Education and US software giant Microsoft Thursday signed a framework agreement to expand networked education deep into China's vast countryside.
China's Ministry of Education and US software giant Microsoft Thursday signed a framework agreement to expand networked education deep into China's vast countryside.
The deal will give kids in rural areas access to the latest knowledge by using hardware equipment provided by the government, and software solutions specially developed by Microsoft.
The CEO of the software giant, Steve Ballmer said during Thursday's signing ceremony in Beijing that Microsoft has long been involved in China's grassroots education and remains committed to helping the country bridge the "Digital Divide."
Chinese Education Minister Zhou Ji said 92 percent of the world's most populous country has received the 9-year compulsory education plan, and that the illiteracy rate is now below 5 percent.
He added that there is room for improvement, as there is a demand for the faster spread of knowledge using cutting-edge techniques.