Autodesk, the world's leading computer assistance design (CAD) software developer, launched its latest product, AutoCAD 2002, last week in Beijing. AutoCAD 2002, the leading general design application, lets users maximize the value of their design data with new and improved collaboration tools. It is the foundation for collaborative design and industry-specific solutions that takes users' designs to the next level. The desktop solutions built into the AutoCAD 2002 foundation include Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3.3, AutoCAD Mechanical 6, Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 6, Autodesk Map 5, and Autodesk Land Desktop 3.

Created for design professionals in fast paced environments, AutoCAD 2002 continues to offer the CAD user improved performance and enhanced design-centric tools. It provides CAD managers with standards and deployment management tools to efficiently share data across the design team, which translates into improved profitability.

Windows XP launch

Microsoft is to release the Chinese version of its Windows XP on November 9, some 15 days after its English version.

It will be available in two editions: Windows XP home edition and Windows XP Professional.

The new operating system is billed as offering greater productivity, reliability and compatibility

WUHAN

Police seize young hacker

Chinese police uncovered the country's first Internet hacker case last Friday in Wuhan by arresting a 19-year-old suspect who has been accused of attacking government-run websites.

On August 3, Wuhan Television reported to police in this capital of Hubei Province, central China, that the country's largest science website had been attacked by someone named ''Playgirl'', with the original homepage replaced by an erotic picture.

Preliminary investigations into the case proved difficult, as the hacker had broken into the website without disclosing his IP address or telephone number.

With the help of high technology means, the police were able to locate and track three suspicious numbers calling from Huangshi city, Hubei Province.

On August 4, the Wuhan police detained Wang Qun, a 19-year-old computer major at a higher-learning school in Huangshi.

Searches into Wang's computer showed that he had taken advantage of the flaws in some government-run websites and replaced their homepages with pornographic pictures.

Evidence was also found in Wang's chatroom exchanges with other Internet surfers, where Wang, nicknamed ''Playgirl'', bragged about how he had attacked over 30 domestic and overseas websites.

The case is under further investigation by judicial departments.

CHNAGCHUN

Shenzhen tops PC makers

South China's boom town Shenzhen has become China's largest producer of computers and telecommunications equipment, Li Decheng, vice-mayor of Shenzhen, told a national conference last Friday.

According to Li, Shenzhen produced 1.07 million computers last year, about 20 per cent of the country's total, and about 53 per cent of the country's total production of programme-control switchboards capable of handling 35 million lines.

The output value of information technology products totalled 80 billion yuan (US$10 billion), about 15 per cent of the country's total.

Leading Chinese and international IT producers, including Huawei, Zhongxing, IBM, Compaq and Lucent, have set up manufacturing centres in Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong.

SAN JOSE, United States

Cisco to buy back US$3 billion in stocks

Cisco Systems Inc, the world's biggest maker of computer-networking equipment, announced last Thursday that its board authorized a stock repurchase programme of up to US$3 billion over the next two years.

The programme is effective immediately, the San Jose, California-based company said in a statement.

Cisco said it may repurchase stock under the programme from time to time, in the open market, through block trades or otherwise, depending on market conditions and other factors.

As of last Thursday, Cisco said it has about 7.3 billion shares outstanding.

TOKYO

Vodafone seeks to control Japan Telecom

British mobile phone giant Vodafone Group Plc plans to raise its stake in Japan Telecom Co Ltd to 66.7 per cent from 45 per cent through a tender offer sometime this month, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

Vodafone will invest about US$1.85 billion to buy extra shares in Japan Telecom, Japan's third-largest telecoms firm, in a bid to secure management control that would give it a free hand to merge or sell some Japan Telecom operations, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun business daily said. Vodafone, the world's largest wireless carrier, has made no secret of its desire to control Japan Telecom's crown jewel and its wireless unit, J-Phone Communications Co Ltd.

The British company is set to hold a direct 39.67 per cent stake in J-Phone after it is consolidated into a single company from its present four separate units, on November 1.