Huawei's Android-free OS draws wide public attention

Chinese tech company Huawei has formally launched a new mobile operating system HarmonyOS Next, its self-developed operating system built independent of Android architecture, drawing wide attention of electronic enthusiasts

The company stressed how its fifth-generation HarmonyOS, for mobile, computer and smart wearables, is truly independent from its competitors in Android and iOS, which has impressed many early movers.

"I believe it has become more energy-efficient, and the smoothness of using WeChat has improved as well," said Gai Xiangbin, one of the early users of the HarmonyOS Next.

"The system is extremely smooth and fluid, with seamless switching between different apps and no sluggishness," another said.

Huawei says the previous version of its HarmonyOS ranks the second in the Chinese market, with 6.7 million registered developers and over 1 billion ecological devices.

According to global research firm Counterpoint, HarmonyOS made up 17 percent of China's smartphone market in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing iOS's 16 percent and becoming the second-largest operating system in China after Android's 67 percent.

With Android and iOS being already well-established operating systems, challenges remain for Huawei's self-developed platform to compete with its counterparts.

"There aren't many apps available on HarmonyOS Next yet, so I won't switch to it right away. Therefore I might continue using my current operating system, the older version of HarmonyOS or iOS as for now," said Shenzhen resident Li Siquan.

"New options, very good," said a non-Chinese resident of Shenzhen.

"[The brand Huawei] represents the scientific and technological strength of China. Second, it is a kind of patriotism. We, as Chinese people, must support Chinese products," another resident named Ye Qingguo said.

Meanwhile, an expert explained the reason why Huawei develops its own operating system.

"As a leading enterprise in scientific and technological innovation in China, Huawei shoulders the responsibility of providing a public operating system for Chinese manufacturing and addressing the technical bottlenecks that arise in the current great power competition. I believe this is also a responsibility for a major enterprise," said Cao Zhongxiong, assistant president of the China Development Institute and the director of the Digital Strategy and Economic Research Center.

Cao believes that Huawei's self-developed operating system will have a substantial impact on China's manufacturing industry in the future, potentially becoming the foundational infrastructure for both China's and the world's digital economy.

Huawei's Android-free OS draws wide public attention

China on Wednesday announced interim measures for the implementation of a flexible retirement system, in a move to enforce the previously adopted policy of incrementally raising the statutory retirement age.

The measures stipulated the procedures for applying for flexible retirement and the requirements for receiving basic pensions, among other details.

Under the new policy, individuals will be allowed to retire up to three years earlier than the new statutory retirement age once they have met the minimum pension contribution requirements. But it is not allowed to retire earlier than the previous statutory age.

Individuals will be able to postpone retirement to an even later date if they reach an agreement with their employers, though this delay must not exceed three years.

Experts say the new retirement system offers flexible options for workers with different situations.

"The flexible retirement policy takes into full consideration the needs of different groups, allowing workers to flexibly choose their own retirement time and to better balance life and work. The lower-aged elderly who have willingness, capabilities, and conditions, could continue to engage in social production and service roles to realize their personal value," said Li Chang'an, researcher with the Academy of China Open Economy Studies under the University of International Business and Economics.

Chinese lawmakers voted in last September to adopt a decision on gradually raising the statutory retirement age in the country, marking the first adjustment in the arrangement since the 1950s.

According to the decision adopted at the 11th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, the statutory retirement age for men will be gradually raised from 60 to 63 in the course of 15 years starting 2025, while that for women cadres and women blue-collar workers will be raised from 55 to 58 and from 50 to 55, respectively.

Starting 2030, the minimum year of basic pension contributions required to receive monthly benefits will be gradually raised from 15 years to 20 years at the pace of an increase of six months annually.

China announces interim measures for introducing flexible retirement system