Tencent's Linux version of its instant messaging software QQ has entered a testing stage and it will be formally launched in July 2008.

The distinguishing feature of this new QQ product is that it can fully support the Chinese-made Loongson CPU. In the future, this Linux QQ will jointly be promoted with Loongson in the educational sector, which means all Loongson computers will have pre-installed Linux QQ.

In China, there are more than 2 million new computers pre-installed with Linux operating systems every year. Computer giants such as HP and Asus also have started to pre-install Linux in their low-end Chinese laptop products.

Longsoon has been developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences as a safe alternative to the U.S.-made AMD and Intel chips.