Why this matters
Many international companies think “AWS is AWS everywhere”, but AWS in China is different. Mistakes, such as attempting to reuse global accounts, skipping ICP filing, or assuming full-service parity, can cause project delays, compliance issues, and a poor user experience. This guide explains how AWS runs in China, how to open and operate an AWS China account, which regions to pick, and practical steps to migrate and connect systems reliably.
Key Takeaways
- AWS China runs through local operators and requires separate accounts, billing, and contracts.
- A Mainland China legal entity is normally required to register an AWS China account.
- ICP registration is required for public websites hosted in China before launch.
- Not all AWS global services are available in China; verify service parity before migration.
- Design cross-border architecture to keep latency-sensitive services local and use private links for critical traffic.
AWS China Overview
What is AWS China and how is it operated?
AWS China comprises two mainland regions operated by local partner companies under Chinese regulations. These regions are operationally isolated from the global AWS tenancy, which affects registration, billing, and support.
Which AWS services are available in China?
Many core AWS services are available in China, but marketplace products, some managed services, and third-party AMIs can differ. Always check the official China regional product/services table before planning migration.
How does AWS China differ from global AWS?
AWS China is run by local operators and is operationally isolated from the global AWS environment. That isolation affects accounts, contracts, billing, service coverage, networking, and compliance — treat China as a separate cloud tenancy when planning.
Quick comparison: always verify service parity and operator terms in a China test account before migrating.
Aspect | AWS Global | AWS China |
Operator & Contracts | Amazon (global contracts) | Local operators (Sinnet, NWCD); operator contracts |
Accounts & Tenancy | Single global account can access supported regions | Separate China accounts/tenancies required |
Service Availability | Broad global service and Marketplace coverage | Many core services available; some services/AMIs differ or are unavailable |
Networking | AWS global backbone, standard Direct Connect | Isolated regions; needs dedicated cross-border links or partner circuits |
Billing & Currency | Global billing options, multiple currencies | RMB billing under local operator terms |
Compliance & Hosting | Local-region compliance applies | Mainland hosting requires ICP and local regulatory steps |
Support & Tooling | Global AWS support, global endpoints | Local support paths; tooling must target China endpoints |
Who operates AWS China and is service parity guaranteed?
AWS China runs two mainland regions that are operated by local companies, not directly by global AWS: Beijing (operated by Beijing Sinnet Technology Co., Ltd.) and Ningxia (operated by Ningxia Western Cloud Data Technology Co., Ltd.). Because of China’s regulatory framework, these regions are operationally isolated from the global AWS environment, which means separate accounts, separate support paths, localized contract terms, and RMB billing — in short, treat AWS China as a distinct cloud tenancy for identity, billing, and compliance. (About AWS China)
Service parity is not guaranteed. Many core services are available in China, but some managed services, Marketplace items, and third-party images differ or are unavailable. Confirm required services in the China regional product and services table before planning migration.
Practical selection checklist
- User location — select the region closest to the majority of users to lower latency.
- Service availability — confirm the required databases, identity, and managed services exist in the target China region.
- Partner and operations — consider local partner presence for managed services, ICP and compliance support.
- Connectivity — expect to design private or partner circuits for predictable cross-border performance.
Practical test: deploy a small pilot in the chosen China account and validate APIs, IAM behavior, and network performance before moving production.
Can Global AWS Accounts Access AWS China?
No. AWS China regions are isolated from global AWS regions. A separate AWS China account and local registration are required for resources in China.
Common patterns of designing identity and tooling across global and China:
- Dual accounts: Keep global and China workloads in separate accounts/tenancies; synchronize CI/CD and automation pipelines where needed.
- Separated credentials and roles: Use separate IAM users/roles in each account and automate cross-account processes via secure APIs.
- Tooling adaptation: Point monitoring, backup, and management scripts to China endpoints when operating China resources.
How to open an AWS China account and what documents are needed?
What you will typically need:
- Mainland China business license and legal entity details.
- A local contact and business phone number.
- Prepared documents for manual verification by the operator.
How to register:
- Start at the AWS China signup portal.
- Complete email and contact verification.
- Upload your business license and required documents for operator review.
- Sign the operator-specific customer agreement and set up RMB billing.
If you don’t have a Chinese legal entity, consider using a trusted local reseller or an MSP, but make sure commercial and compliance trade-offs are acceptable.
ICP and Public Websites: What You Must Do
If your site or app is publicly accessible and hosted on mainland infrastructure, an ICP registration is required.
- What is ICP — Internet Content Provider (ICP) registration is required by MIIT for domains hosted on Chinese servers. Check MIIT at MIIT ICP public query.
Do not launch a public website before ICP registration — your domain can be blocked or inaccessible.
Connectivity and Cross-Border Design
AWS China is isolated from the global AWS network due to regulations. That requires explicit connectivity planning.
Options
- VPN — secure tunnels for API or admin access, but can have latency variability.
- Private connections / Direct Connect equivalents — check operator offerings for private links and dedicated circuits. AWS recommends Direct Connect and local partner options for better performance; see AWS China Gateway resources.
- Hybrid patterns — keep latency-sensitive front-ends in China and replicate non-critical data internationally.
Tip — measure latency and packet loss from representative locations before committing to the architecture.
For global connectivity design and optimization, our Global Connectivity service can assess routes.
Migration Checklist: POC to Cutover
Follow this practical preflight before migrating workloads to AWS China.
- Inventory the AWS services you use and confirm China availability.
- Create a China test account early to validate IAM, APIs, and endpoints.
- Test latency and packet loss from real user locations.
- Prepare ICP filings if launching public sites.
- Plan secure data transfer and key management for encryption.
- Run a pilot, validate monitoring and SLAs, then cut over with a rollback plan.
JET IT Services can run a proof of concept and transition to managed operations for you.
Costs Billing and Procurement Notes
- AWS China billing runs in RMB and under local operator contracts — expect price and SKU differences vs global AWS.
- Watch for extra costs: installation of private links, port fees, ICP support, and local support tiers.
- Negotiate reserved capacity or partner discounts where possible.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Trying to reuse global AWS accounts — they are incompatible; create a separate AWS China account.
- Delaying ICP filing — file before public launch.
- Assuming full service parity — test required services early.
- Skipping network testing — design for latency and connectivity before production.
How We Can Help
JET IT Services provides on-the-ground support and multilingual operations in China, including:
AWS China account setup and operator coordination (Sinnet / NWCD).
Cross-border connectivity design, including VPN, private circuits, and SD-WAN.
Migration planning and POCs to validate services and performance before production.
Managed operations in China, covering day-to-day cloud operations and local compliance support.
FAQ — top questions people ask about AWS China
Does AWS run in China? Is AWS allowed in China?
Yes. AWS operates mainland China regions under local operator agreements and complies with Chinese regulations. This is why AWS China is run separately from the global AWS tenancy.
- How do I create an AWS China account?
Register through the AWS China signup portal and prepare your Mainland China business license and contact details. See the operator signup guidance at AWS China signup . - Can I use my global AWS account in China?
No. AWS China is isolated: you need a dedicated AWS China account, separate credentials, and a separate billing/contract relationship with the local operator. Can I register an AWS global account with a Chinese phone number (+86)? Yes. AWS generally allows you to register a global AWS account using a Chinese mobile number (+86), as long as it is entered in international format. However, phone or SMS verification may occasionally fail due to international carrier restrictions. If verification does not go through, using a non-China number temporarily or contacting AWS Support is recommended.
- Which AWS China regions and data centers exist and how do I choose one?
AWS China currently has Beijing (operated by Sinnet) and Ningxia (operated by NWCD). Choose by user proximity, required service availability, and which operator/partners best support your needs. Check service lists at China regional services. - Why is AWS China separate from global AWS?
Regulatory and data residency rules require local operation and contracts. China’s operator model means AWS works through Chinese partners for legal, support, and billing reasons. - Does AWS have data centers in China?
Yes. The China regions are hosted on mainland data center infrastructure operated by the local partners. This is why region selection and operator terms matter for latency, compliance, and procurement. How do I connect to AWS China from outside China?
Access requires China-specific endpoints and APIs. Common options include site-to-site VPNs, private circuits, or partner connectivity, with higher latency than global regions expected.
- What is the Chinese alternative to AWS?
Major Chinese cloud providers include Alibaba Cloud (Aliyun), Tencent Cloud, and Huawei Cloud. See top 10 cloud providers in China. - Who helps with ICP filing?
Operators provide ICP guidance and portals, and many managed partners can file on your behalf. See a practical ICP guide. - Are all AWS services available in China?
No. Service parity is incomplete; some global AWS services are not present or differ in implementation. Always verify the exact services and APIs you need in the China regional service table before migration. - How does billing work for AWS China?
Billing is handled locally in RMB under the operator’s contract. Pricing, SKUs, and invoicing differ from global AWS, so compare total first-year costs including connectivity and setup fees. - What is a good pilot test before full migration?
Deploy a small representative app, validate IAM and API behavior, run latency and load tests from target user locations, and practice ICP filing and DNS cutover to ensure a smooth launch. - Is Amazon CloudFront (CDN) available in AWS China?
Yes. AWS provides CDN and edge services in the China partition, with local POPs. Feature availability may differ from global CloudFront.
15. How does encryption and AWS KMS work in China?
AWS KMS is available in China regions, but keys and HSMs are region-local and managed under China operator compliance requirements.
16. Can I use SSO or Azure AD federation with AWS China?
Yes, with separate setup. Identity federation is possible, but China regions require independent configuration and testing for SAML or SCIM integration.
17. Are AWS Marketplace products and AMIs the same in China?
No. Marketplace listings and AMIs may differ. Some third-party products require China-specific licensing or are unavailable.
18. Do AWS support plans and SLAs differ in China?
Yes. Support, SLAs, and escalation paths are handled by local operators and may differ from global AWS terms.
About JET IT Services
JET helps businesses in China overcome IT challenges with reliable, compliant, and secure solutions. From network optimization to cybersecurity, we ensure your IT systems run smoothly so you can focus on what matters most—growing your business!