This 1994 article by Richard Riehle details the burgeoning presence of the Ada programming language in China against the backdrop of the nation's economic "openness" and rapid development in the early 1990s. It highlights China's independent development of Ada compilers and tools, the government's adoption of Ada for military and critical infrastructure projects like the Beijing air traffic control system, and the pivotal role of companies like Beijing Green Valley Software (BGVS). The author recounts his experience presenting Ada seminars in Beijing, noting the enthusiasm and technical proficiency of Chinese engineers. The article traces the history of Ada's introduction and indigenous development in China, culminating in validated compilers and the acceptance of Ada as an ISO standard. It concludes by underscoring the significant business opportunities for international Ada-related enterprises as China integrates further into the global economy, despite ongoing political and bureaucratic challenges.
Ada's Emergence in China: Economic Context, Development, and Business Prospects
China's Economic Opening (Early 1990s): The article describes a China focused on "Openness," with a burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit, significant economic growth predictions (7% annually), and increasing interest from U.S. software giants like Microsoft and IBM. Despite remaining bureaucracy, the country was undergoing slow political and economic changes, fostering a dynamic environment for technological adoption.
Advanced Computing Infrastructure: China was surprisingly up-to-date in its computing capabilities, with widespread use of UNIX, emerging Microsoft operating systems, advanced graphics systems, and mainframes. Relaxed U.S. export rules were enabling access to cutting-edge processors and software.
Indigenous Ada Development: Significantly, China was no longer just a potential market for Ada; three Chinese organizations had already developed their own Ada compilers, tools, and development technology.
Government Adoption of Ada: The Chinese government adopted Ada as the standard language for its military and planned to use it for the Beijing air traffic control system. Ada was also being considered for non-military applications, including banking.
Beijing Green Valley Software (BGVS): This company, co-founded by Professor Li Xin (who led the development of the first validated Chinese Ada compiler) and Miss Li Jiangyue, emerged as a key player in the Chinese Ada market. BGVS was involved in government projects, compiler development, and exploring international collaborations.
Author's Ada Seminars in Beijing: Richard Riehle conducted three seminars in 1993:
One for military and government decision-makers, which received positive feedback and reaffirmed their commitment to Ada.
A second for technical personnel, focusing on compiler technology, software metrics (which resonated with the mathematically adept Chinese engineers), CASE tools, and reusable components.
A third, more informal session with programmers and software engineers on Ada application design and reuse, highlighting their impressive technical skills and English proficiency.
History of Ada in China:
The journey began in 1979 when professors Lu Ruqian and Tang Zhisong introduced Ada's precursor design documents.
The "Green" language (Ada) was favored, leading to academic discussions and research.
The Ministry of Electronic Industry funded two compiler projects in 1983, led by Chen Hansheng (ECISE) and Professor Li Xin (NCISE).
By 1991, three Ada compilers were completed, with Professor Li Xin's NCISE compiler for MicroVax II under ULTRIX 3.0 eventually being validated in Great Britain. He later validated an 80386/486 AT&T UNIX compiler.
International Engagement and Standardization:
China invited several foreign Ada experts to lecture and provide advice.
Chinese delegations began attending TRI-Ada conferences, with expectations of forming a SIGAda chapter in Beijing.
In 1993, the Ada ISO standard was officially accepted in China, and a Chinese version was published.
Ada as a Business Opportunity:
BGVS aimed to integrate Ada into Chinese computing practices (both defense and commercial), export Chinese Ada technology, and import international Ada tools.
There was noted interest from international Ada companies like Alsys and RATIONAL in exploring the Chinese market via BGVS.
Broader Geopolitical and Economic Outlook:
Ada was seen as an international standard, with adoption across NATO, Japan, the US, and even rival states like Taiwan and the PRC.
China's shift towards a more open society and its focus on internal economic development presented significant opportunities for Ada-based ventures.
The article acknowledged U.S. human rights concerns but also the strong pull of business interests in the vast Chinese market.
China was positioning itself as an attractive location for software development due to its well-educated engineers and competitive labor costs.
Key Takeaway on Collaboration: The article concludes with a sentiment that sharing Ada technology and software engineering methods could foster positive international relationships and influence, benefiting all parties involved.