The State Council, China's Cabinet, urged governments at all levels to use legitimate software in office computer systems, according to a circular posted on the central government's website on Tuesday.

Downloading of unauthorized software will be forbidden and a long-term mechanism should be set up to supervise software use in government, the circular said.

Government procurement divisions should strictly follow the laws on procurement and regulations on the management of software products nationwide, it said.

The circular reiterated that the purchase of copyrighted software should be included in the annual assessment and those who fail to abide by such rules should be punished in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.