Microsoft expands its Azure presence in China

Microsoft is working on a new Azure region in North China, set to launch in 2022. Working with local partner 21Vianet, it will double Microsoft's cloud operations in the country. This expanded portfolio of offerings will encompass Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform.

According to recent research, China will have a $46 billion cloud market by 2023, and 63 percent of organizations in the country are leveraging some degree of cloud technology for digital transformation. Microsoft first announced operations in China in 2012, launching two initial regions in 2014 with 21Vianet, thus becoming the first international public cloud provider to operate in the Chinese market.