Microsoft’s new data center in China officially put into operation

Microsoft’s fifth Azure data center in China is officially put into operation on Thursday, demonstrating the global software giant’s dedication to seizing the opportunities of fast-moving digitalization in China and better serving consumers.

The new data center, located in Hebei, North China, will gain “unrestricted access” to customers and doubles the capacity of Microsoft’s intelligent cloud portfolio, it said, adding that Azure is the first international public cloud service to become widely available in the country.

In the global software giant’s official blog, it said that along with the new Azure region launch, a number of Azure services will be available in China in 2022, including Azure Availability Zones, Azure Arc multi-cloud management and Azure Purview, its data-governance solution.

Foreign cloud providers are required to partner with Chinese infrastructure companies to do business in the country, therefore, Azure entered the China mainland market in 2014 through a partnership with local company 21Vianet, making it the first global public cloud provider to establish extensive cloud operations in the country. 

Under the partnership, Microsoft has no access to the 21Vianet’s data center hosting its Azure service unless its partner agrees to access and only to provide support and troubleshooting knowhow.

“We see fast-growing needs for global public services in the China market, both from multinationals thronging to China, man Chinese companies seeking for global presence, and Chinese companies to digitally transform their businesses and processes on clouds,” said Hou Yang, Microsoft Corporate Vice President, according to a recent public statement issued by Microsoft. 

According to a report released by global market intelligence provider IDC, China’s has become the fastest growing public cloud market in the world, and its market share in the global market might increase to more than 10.5 percent by 2024.