Apple will build 2nd Chinese Data Center

Apple is expanding in China again. The company first announce a facility in Guizhou Province. Now, Apple has announced a second data center in mainland China.

Apple decided to build facilities to store data behind the Great Firewall of China after the Chinese government passed strict data residency and cyber security laws that will keep data within China.

It's disappointing to see Apple bend to an autocratic state. Although Apple must have decided it was the only way Apple could continue selling iPhones in one of the company's largest markets.

Xinhau, the Chinese state news agency first broke the story:

HOHHOT, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Apple Inc., the United States tech giant, will build a data center in Ulanqab City in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, after its first data center in southwestern Guizhou Province, the local government has announced.

As Apple's first data center in north China, it will be put into operation in 2020 and offer iCloud services on the Chinese mainland, according to the city government.

The project will use 100 percent renewable energy sources, according to the cooperation agreement between the city government and the company.

Inner Mongolia was listed as one of the country's big data development zones in 2016, and Ulanqab is now home to a big data center of Chinese technology giant Huawei.

In July 2017, Apple announced plans to build its first Chinese data center in Guizhou. The project will also be put into operation in 2020.