Ministry issues plan for cloud computing industry

The Ministry of Science and Technology on Tuesday issued its 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) for China's cloud computing industry.

The plan expects domestic companies to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies by 2015 in fields such as major cloud computing equipment, core software and supporting platforms. It urges domestic companies to implement homegrown, controllable cloud computing solutions, technical systems and standards.

The plan also urges domestic companies to conduct demonstrations of those applications in selected regions and industries, in order to achieve industrialization of cloud computing products and services.

The Ministry also encourages the establishment of a number of competitive companies in the cloud computing industry during the period.

In order to ensure enough financial support, the Ministry asked the industry to expand investment and financing channels. The plan encourages technology innovation funds to pay more attention to small and medium-sized enterprises. It also encourages small and medium-sized companies to resort to the stock markets.