China Accelerates AI Data Center Expansion with Major Hong Kong Gateway

China is planning a 2 trillion‑yuan (US$295 billion) AI data center build‑out over the next five years, driven by the National Development and Reform Commission. The strategy will link computing facilities nationwide, rely on domestic suppliers for at least 80 % of hardware and software, and involve telecom operators China Mobile and China Telecom. Beneficiaries are expected to include firms such as Huawei, GDS Holdings, Vnet Group and AI developers like Zhipu AI.

In Hong Kong, Equinix has opened its HK6 data centre, positioned at the border with Shenzhen and integrated with the Hong Kong‑Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park. HK6 is marketed as a cross‑border AI infrastructure gateway, enabling global enterprises, startups and research communities to scale AI workloads across the Greater Bay Area.

Together, the national plan and the new Hong Kong facility illustrate a coordinated push to strengthen China's AI computing capacity and support domestic technology firms.