The cloud computing center of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region officially began operations last week.  This is a key step for the region toward building a regional information hub for Central and Western Asia.

The center is built by Dawning Information Industry, which is currently providing cloud computing services for electronic government platforms, urban management, language and culture, and new energy development.  The region has invested nearly 30 billion yuan (US$4.9 billion) in the industry, with a number of projects launched.

AWS recently moved into China as well, and other cloud providers are either there, or are moving there.  The market for cloud computing in China is huge, considering the economic growth they have experienced in the last decade.

What will be interesting to see is if the US-based cloud companies are able to make strides with native China-based companies in the market as well, such as those in the Xinjiang center.  I suspect the Asian market will leverage both, if the US-based cloud companies can prove that they are able to provide the right amount of security, and provide reliable services.