China takes on Ballmer

THE GLORIOUS Peoples' Republic of China is preparing to follow in the EU's footsteps by trying to thwart the carefully-laid plans of Microsoft's softly-spoken CEO, Steve Ballmer.

As part of Microsoft's plans to expand into the Peoples' Republic, M. Ballmer had been eyeing some $12.88 million worth of shares in Chinese electronics firm Sichuan Changhong Electric.

But, the deal has been scotched by the China Security Regulatory Commission which blocked the move without saying why.

This is not good news for Ballmer, who was hoping the deal would give Microsoft a foothold in the Chinese hardware market and a platform for getting involved in the integration of digital media in China.

Sichuan Changhong makes a lot of the tellies in China and wants to produce an integrated digital media platform.

According to Forbes, it appears that electronics firm might have dragged its heels somewhat in submitting details of the proposed deal to regulators in Beijing.

This may have been interpreted as a slight by the bureaucrats, causing them to reject the deal.

If so, perhaps the deal might be saved by Ballmer popping over for a quiet word. µ