China establishes Tibetan IT incubator

XINING — Building work began Monday on an incubator for Tibetan language information technology development in northwest China's Qinghai province, part of a wider project to boost local economic and social progress.

With 77.8 million yuan ($11.5 million) in financial backing, Yongzin big data center, which is in Gonghe county, Hainan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, will include data, product display and training departments.

"Yongzin" is the country's first Tibetan language search engine. It was launched in August last year.

The incubator aims to attract small and medium internet enterprises to provide governance, economy, culture and education in areas inhabited by Tibetans.

"Currently there is a dearth of internet enterprises in Tibetan areas, which means there is a lack of valuable, unique Tibetan brands," said Tselo, director of the Tibetan language working committee in Hainan Tibetan autonomous prefecture.

The incubator, which will be put into operation next year, will provide preferential policies to attract small companies.

Since 2013, Qinghai, with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, has channeled 14 million yuan into several projects related to Tibetan information technology development.