Senior officials are looking to patch up the outdated Windows XP software rather than pay for an "expensive" upgrade.

The Chinese government will try to patch up the outdated Windows XP operating system -because it is too expensive to upgrade.

Microsoft stopped providing security updates for the 13-year-old software earlier this month, and those still using the system are at risk of cyber attack.

Senior official Yan Xiaohong said: "Security problems could arise because of a lack of technical support after Microsoft stopped providing services, making computers with XP vulnerable to hackers."

Chinese security providers have released special protection products to patch up the system, which the government is now "appraising" for use.

He added that upgrading to Windows 8 would be "fairly expensive", increasing government procurement costs.

Windows 8 costs 888 yuan (£84) in China.

In the US, nearly 18% of computers still use XP - in China the figure is estimated to be closer to 70%.

At one point, the use of pirated Windows software was rife in China’s government departments.

But a crackdown since 2010 now means all government agencies above the county level now own genuine software.

The government has also been pressuring state-owned enterprises to embrace legitimate software.

70% WOAH! Well let the hacking begin.