Jiang Dong, vice-mayor of Nantong, met with representatives from Microsoft Corporation and Qinhuai Data Group May 18 in an effort to promote the operation of Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform in Gangzha district, Nantong.

As cloud computing is flourishing and being widely applied around the world, cloud technology has become a significant driver for global economic development in recent years.

Cloud computing is one of Microsoft's major businesses, ranking second in the world in market share. Microsoft is always hoping to promote cloud computing in China, as the country is the world's largest emerging market economy, and the company has developed several types of relevant products in China.

The Microsoft Azure cluster project is expected to boost the city's construction of an international information center, develop cloud computing in the Yangtze River Delta region, and provide cloud services in South China.

To accelerate construction of the project, Microsoft decided to cooperate with Qinhuai Data Group, a large data operator in China. 

Construction on a data center in Gangzha started in June 2019 with the help of the group. The first phase is planned to be completed this July and the Microsoft Azure cluster will be put into operation in the first quarter of 2021.