The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) will promote the development of Tibetan language software with the goal of helping Tibetans promote their culture and develop their economy.

The plan will narrow the "digital gap" between Tibet and the interior areas and speed the construction of the region's "information highway," the CAS official website said Saturday.

The CAS Software Institute, Tibet University and the Tibetan Language Working Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region jointly developed an office software suite in Tibetan last year. They also collaborated with Beijing Zhongke Red Flag Software Company to develop a Tibetan language Linux operating system.

Tibet University used the software to establish a teaching platform for its Tibetan information technology and computer classes. More than 150 Tibetan middle and primary schools have adopted the software, as have some media organizations, including Tibet Daily and Tibet Radio Station.

(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2009)