As you are in China, the most common used computer programs that you need probably are dictionary and Chinese input.  Now introducing two free programs “google Chinese input” and “ICIBA”(dictionary).

1. google Chinese input (click the blue button)

It’s simple the best Chinese input program imo. It’s easy to use, update frequently, also up-to-date vocabulary and its completely free. What can you expect more from it?

Alernative: sohu Chinese input (click the yellow button on the left)

2. Jinshan Ci Ba  – aka ICIBA (click the white button)

The famous Chinese-English English-Chinese Dictionary. Everybody knows what “Jinshan Ci Ba” is. Now it provides a free version (including all features)  Ps: it’s a web based program.

If you need an offline version, just go to a software store or ask a Chinese friend of yours.

It aslo has a cell-phone version , iphone version too but it only supports 1.0 firmware.

Alternative: ICIBA online dictionary page

google online dictionary page