US Warns Of Y2K Snags In China, Other Asian States

Updated 6:14 PM ET September 14, 1999

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States warned Tuesday that Pakistan and parts of China faced potential service disruptions because of the Y2K computer problem, but it was more positive about other Asian nations, including regional economic powerhouse Japan.

The State Department said inland Chinese cities faced potential Y2K computer problems affecting banking, communications, medical services and power. Disruptions also were possible in Pakistan, where authorities were late in addressing the threat, it said.

In addition to Japan, countries such as South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore were in better shape, the State Department said.

The assessments were published in updated Consular Information Sheets on 196 countries and territories around the world, which for the first time included a look at the effect of Y2K, a coding glitch that could confound computers as the year 2000 turns. Unless fixed, this could disrupt everything from airlines to health care to telephones.

The brief and very general accounts were meant to provide general guidance for Americans living and traveling in foreign countries.

In China, the department said the more developed coastal cities, where the government had concentrated its efforts, were generally well prepared.

"At the present time it appears there may be a risk of potential disruption in the key sectors of banking and finance, telecommunications, medical services and in electrical power and infrastructure systems outside of the coastal areas," it said.

"Chinese authorities expect that any potential disruptions will be concentrated in small- and medium-sized enterprises, and that there is a moderate risk of potential disruption in freight-forwarding and distribution networks," it added.

LOW RISK OF DISRUPTION IN JAPAN

In Japan, one of the world's most technologically advanced societies, the department said the government had pushed all sectors to complete testing and make contingency plans. The State Department said it appeared there was a low risk of potential disruption.

It gave a generally positive assessment of Taiwan, but added there could be problems in the medical services sector and with some water supplies.

"The medical sector is likely to be affected as many small- and medium-sized facilities will not have completed their Y2K conversion and will be forced to send their patients to larger hospitals," it said

Most large companies, utilities and financial institutions have taken steps to avoid problems, but smaller- and medium-sized concerns were at some risk, the State Department said.

The report on Pakistan said the country, although not heavily dependent on computers, was only "somewhat prepared" and there was a "significant risk" of disruption in key areas, including health care, banking and power supply.

"Both government and private entities ... came to focus on Y2K only in late 1998 or early 1999. A late start and inadequate funding to address the Y2K problem suggests that Y2K disruptions are likely," it said.

On India, the consular report said: "Though Indian firms rank among the leading providers of Y2K remediation for other countries, some Indian sectors have been slow to recognize the extent of potential Y2K problems within the country."

Enough money had been made available for federal government organizations to cope with the challenge, the report said, but it was less clear that there were sufficient funds for state and private institutions.

Although India was "generally prepared" to deal with the problem, "the largest question is the readiness of the electric power sector and the ocean ports," the report said.

The report on Indonesia said the country, which has been in political turmoil for more than a year, "got a late start on Y2K remediation and does not appear to be fully prepared to deal with the Y2K problem."

"Consequently, there is a moderate risk of Y2K disruptions across Indonesia, specifically in the key sectors of health, telecommunications and banking and finance. A long-term disruption of electrical power in Jakarta and other major cities is a potentially serious Y2K problem," it said.

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Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), September 14, 1999

Answers

Care to check out our trade with China and some of the other countries. Check Wallmart.. or check here:

China_____Indonesia____ India

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), September 14, 1999.