The Birth of China’s First Microcomputer

2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It is a key year for China Electronics to thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and comprehensively promote the implementation of the “135” strategy. Standing at the historical new node of the 35th anniversary of China Electronics, the group’s official WeChat account has launched the multimedia report “E脉相承”, telling the advanced essence, ideological line, glorious tradition, and fine style of the people of China Electronics forged in long-term struggle. We will continue the red bloodline, inherit the red gene, and firmly shoulder the mission of being a pioneer and writing a new chapter. Today, we take you into the first issue of “E脉相承”, which is about the birth of China’s microcomputer.

Narrator: Gong Bingzheng

Retired veteran from the Sixth Institute of Electronics, participant in the research and development of automation, information technology, microcomputers, and applications

From Rags to Riches

To the Development of China’s First Microcomputer

In the 1970s, the emergence of microcomputers changed the landscape of the computer market. When China’s major computer manufacturers and research institutes had yet to focus on this “microcomputer”, the Sixth Institute of Electronics, as an electronics application institute, was commissioned by the Computer Bureau to develop the country’s first microcomputer, thus entering the computer industry and launching a generation of microcomputer products.

“In that ‘from rags to riches’ era, constrained by technology, we held onto our dreams of independent innovation and began a difficult yet hopeful exploration.” Gong Bingzheng recalls those passionate years. In the autumn of 1974, under the leadership of the Ministry of the Fourth Machinery, the Sixth Institute of Electronics, Tsinghua University, and Anhui Radio Factory formed a joint design team, where a group of dream-chasing researchers devoted themselves to the development of microcomputers in China.

With strong support and collaboration from all relevant units, the design team overcame numerous difficulties, and China’s first microcomputer DJS-050 was born, winning the National Science Conference Award in 1978. Its birth also marked the beginning of the development of China’s microcomputer industry.

Joint Efforts

Boosting the Development of China’s Computer Industry

In the 1980s, the domestic computer market gradually integrated with the international market. The Sixth Institute of Electronics kept pace with technological developments, exploring and developing more advanced microcomputer products based on the DJS-050.

However, at that time, the country could not import raw materials, and the design team had to find alternative paths. In September 1982, engineers Qian Lejun and Zhang Shengsheng from the Sixth Institute of Electronics took a “huge sum” of $100,000 and flew to Kobe, Japan, staying at the home of overseas Chinese Lin Junmin, to startdeveloping a 16-bit microcomputer.

However, just as the development work was beginning, foreign companies suddenly announced an open policy, and Qian Lejun was urgently recalled to revise the plan to develop PC-compatible machines. After the plan was finalized, he immediately returned to Japan to begin intense work.

At the same time, another R&D team from the Sixth Institute of Electronics, led by Yan Yuanchao, was intensively working on the development of the Chinese character operating system CCDOS. The achievements of both teams were remarkable, not only solving the problem of microcomputers being unable to display Chinese characters at that time but also laying the foundation for the birth of the Great Wall 0520C-H, boosting the rapid development of China’s computer industry.

Building a Complete Independent Intellectual Property

Multi-Branch Computing Terminal

A silicon chip, a string of code, a computer were once the daily routine of microcomputer researchers at the Sixth Institute of Electronics. Here, every keystroke is an exploration of the unknown world; every line of code embodies the pursuit of dreams. We uphold our principles amidst change, innovate amidst adherence, and generations of people from the Sixth Institute are striving to write a splendid chapter in the field of internet security.

Looking back, our original intention remains as firm as a rock. From the joint development of China’s first microcomputer to the construction of a complete independent intellectual property multi-branch computing terminal, China Electronics has always bravely moved forward on the path of independent innovation. In the future, China Electronics will continue to uphold its original intention and take concrete actions to promote the high-quality development of the national internet security cause!

Correspondent | Huang Chen Liu Yanmei

Editor | Cheng Kun Review | Party Building Work Department China Information Security (Sixth Institute of Electronics)

Proofreader | Wang Yanwen Released | Party Building Work Department