*Chinese character input require SCIM.
 *This page is a simple way to install SCIM without installing additional Language Support Packets
 *Read [[SCIM]] for more detail.
 *Before you continue, you may need some basic configuration of your new Ubuntu system.

Type in the terminal:
{{{
$sudo apt-get install scim-qtimm im-switch scim-pinyin
$im-switch -z en_US -s scim
}}}
Log out, then log in again. SCIM should be now the default input for all applications

If the second command line doesn't work, try
{{{
$locale | grep LANG=
}}}
The answer would be something like
{{{
LANG=en_US.UTF-8
}}}
Type in the terminal:
{{{
$im-switch -z YOUR LOCALE -s scim  # replace "YOUR LOCALE" by something like "en_US.UTF-8"
}}}


For Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron or any later version, you might want to try this if the commands stated as above doesn't work:
{{{
$im-switch -z YOUR LOCALE -s scim-bridge  # replace "YOUR LOCALE" by something like "en_US.UTF-8"
}}}
For example:
{{{
$im-switch -z en_US.UTF-8 -s scim-bridge
}}}
You must restart your X window (log out, then log in) to take effect.

You can press "Ctrl+blank" to switch between English and Chinese input mode now in all applications.

= Further Reading =
 *https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SCIM?highlight=%28scim%29
 *https://wiki.ubuntu.com/InputMethods/SCIM/Setup