According to the IDC forecast, 'Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan ) Server and Client Operating Environments 2005-2009 Forecast: Linux Moves into the Mainstream' (AP322356M), Linux server operating environment (SOE) revenues are forecast to account for 6.1% of the entire SOE market in China this year. IDC forecasts Linux SOE revenue in China will reach US$19.9 million in 2005 and grow to US$117.6 million by 2009, displaying a robust five-year (2005-2009) compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 64%.

"In China, as in much of the region, the trend highlights the shift from low-cost Linux distributions to higher-cost products that offer improved functionalities, longer support life cycles, and better ISV support", said Vivian Tero, senior analyst, Asia/Pacific Infrastructure Software. "Despite the weak demand for high-end enterprise servers and their corresponding operating system software, operating environments such as Linux have continued to grow due to the downsizing of customers' server infrastructure requirements and the increasing adoption of x86 servers".
www.idc.com