The China Software and Integrated Chip Promotions Centre (CSIP) has chosen Canonical’s Ubuntu operating system as the countries basis for a new reference architecture. The agency hopes to create a more flexible and open operating system that will be standardized across electronics devices in China.

CSIP has launched the CCN Open Source Innovation Joined Lab in collaboration with the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) and open source Linux experts Canonical.

Located in Beijing the new initiative aims to create a China-focused version of Ubuntu. Developers will work on both desktop and cloud versions of the popular open-source operating system. The new version of the software is known as “Ubuntu Kylin,” and the first iteration is due for release on April 25.

The new release we arrive at the same time as other Ubuntu releases, which should lead to a nice comparison of the different OS version.

In a public statement regarding the partnership, Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth revealed:

“With Ubuntu Kylin, China now has its own secure and stable desktop operating system, produced alongside Ubuntu’s global community. Ubuntu combines proven technology with a mature ecosystem and strong OEM and ISV partners, and this initiative allows the Joint Lab to bring those strengths to China across the full range of platforms: desktop, server, cloud, tablet and phone.”

The OS landscape has drastically changed over the last decade. Microsoft is no longer in control of the market, mobile operating systems have experienced massive growth, and Ubuntu even recently announced plans for a mobile version of its very own. The Canonical version of Ubuntu Mobile is unfortunately not expected until early 2014.

The real question will be whether or not businesses and other agencies will be willing to ditch their Windows and Mac OS X based infrastructures and use a yet to be tested open source platform for enterprise uses.

Do you think Ubuntu can actively take over the Chinese computing market?