China Invests $6.1 Billion in Data Centers

China has invested over $6.1 billion (43.5 billion yuan) in its 'Eastern Data, Western Computing' project, launched in 2022 to enhance its data center infrastructure in response to U.S. trade restrictions. The initiative aims to build eight computing hubs, with a total investment exceeding 200 billion yuan from public and private sources, to process and store data generated in the economically advanced eastern regions. Liu Liehong from China's National Data Bureau reported the installation of over 1.95 million server racks, with a significant portion already in use, at a recent Big Data Expo in Guiyang. This strategic investment is part of China's broader goal to achieve self-sufficiency in technology and bolster its digital economy amidst growing global competition. The project is expected to create high-skilled jobs and stimulate growth in western regions, leveraging their abundant resources and lower operational costs. By 2025, China aims to establish a comprehensive computing infrastructure system to support its digital transformation efforts.