Asian Linux Distros Explained
📖 7 min read
Quick Answer
While the West debates Linux as a hobby, parts of Asia are adopting it as national strategy. China’s home-grown distros now run 90% of its government computers, part of a sweeping move away from Windows. These Asian Linux distributions are a fascinating, under-reported story of technological sovereignty. Here is the landscape.
💡 The big picture
Imagine a country deciding it no longer wants to rent its digital foundations from foreign landlords (Windows, macOS) — so it builds its own house from open Linux bricks. That is what China and others are doing with their own Linux distributions.
Why Asia builds its own Linux
The driver is technological sovereignty: reducing dependence on US software (Windows, macOS) for security, political and strategic reasons. By building on open-source Linux, countries can create operating systems they fully control — free from foreign licensing, restrictions, or potential backdoors. It is the software side of self-reliance.
Kylin and openKylin
Kylin OS is China’s flagship: it reportedly holds around 90% of China’s government-sector market and is used in military, research, energy and finance. openKylin is its open-source community version — China’s first independent open-source Linux OS, with thousands of developers and used even in the country’s space program.
Deepin and Ubuntu Kylin
Deepin is a polished, beautiful Chinese distro (Debian-based) popular worldwide for its elegant desktop, with millions of users. Ubuntu Kylin is an official Ubuntu edition tailored for China, made with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology — bringing familiar Linux to Chinese users with local features.
Beyond China and what it means
The trend extends to mobile too — Huawei’s HarmonyOS grew rapidly as a non-Western mobile platform. For the rest of us, these distros are real, usable Linux options (Deepin especially is loved for its looks), and a powerful example of how open source enables nations and individuals alike to own their computing.
🔑 Key takeaway
Asia, led by China, is adopting home-grown Linux distros as national strategy: Kylin (~90% of China’s government computers), the open-source openKylin, the elegant Deepin, and Ubuntu Kylin — driven by technological sovereignty and a move away from Western software. They’re real, usable Linux options and a striking example of open source enabling independence.
Why this matters for you
This is one of the most important and under-covered tech stories in Asia: nations using open-source Linux to escape dependence on foreign software. Whether you try Deepin for its beauty or just understand the strategy, it shows how software freedom — like Bitcoin — is a tool for sovereignty at every scale.
Frequently asked questions
What Linux does the Chinese government use?▼
Primarily Kylin OS, which reportedly holds around 90% of China’s government-sector market, plus its open-source version openKylin. They’re used across military, research, energy, finance and government as part of a move away from Windows.
Is Deepin Linux safe to use?▼
Deepin is a popular, polished Debian-based distro loved worldwide for its elegant desktop. Like any software, evaluate it on your own threat model; for most users it’s a normal, usable Linux. Privacy-focused users may prefer mainstream community distros — see our Linux privacy guide.
Why do Asian countries make their own Linux?▼
For technological sovereignty — reducing dependence on US software (Windows/macOS) for security, political and strategic reasons. Building on open-source Linux lets them control their own operating systems, free from foreign licensing or restrictions.