The Complete Guide to AWS China

Learn how to deploy and manage AWS services within mainland China, including ICP licensing requirements, account setup, and how to ensure full compliance with Chinese regulations as well as overcome technical gaps with AWS global.

What is AWS China?

AWS China refers to Amazon Web Services’ cloud infrastructure operated within Mainland China through partnerships with two certified local operators. Due to China’s strict cybersecurity and data sovereignty laws, AWS China operates completely separately from AWS Global (International).

AWS China operates through two regional partners:

• AWS China (Beijing) Region: Operated by Beijing Sinnet Technology Co. Ltd. (光环新网) since 2016
• AWS China (Ningxia) Region: Operated by Ningxia Western Cloud Data Technology Co., Ltd. (西云数据) since 2017

Customers sign contracts directly with Sinnet or NWCD (not Amazon), and billing is processed in Chinese Yuan. This isolated infrastructure ensures compliance with Chinese regulations.

Is AWS Available in China?

Yes, but AWS China offers a limited number of services compared to AWS Global. As of October 2025,  AWS China offers approximately 121-122 services across the Beijing and Ningxia regions, compared to 395 services available globally representing roughly 31% of AWS’s total service portfolio. Here is the official list of all available services in the AWS China region. Some key services like Amazon Bedrock aren’t available, while Amazon Certificate Manager has limited functionality. 

You must create a separate AWS China account to use services in mainland China. With one AWS China account, you can access both Beijing and Ningxia regions, but you’ll need to complete ICP Filing with both operators if you deploy services in both regions. 

Can I Use AWS China with My Existing AWS International Account?

No. AWS China and AWS International are completely separate platforms operated by different companies under different legal frameworks.

Why are They Separate?

Chinese law requires that cloud services in Mainland China be operated by Chinese companies with proper telecommunications licenses. AWS provides the technology, but Sinnet and NWCD are the legal operators who own and manage the infrastructure, handle billing, and ensure regulatory compliance. When you use AWS China, you’re technically a customer of Sinnet or NWCD, not Amazon.

This means:

• Billing is processed in Chinese Yuan by the local operators
• Your data is stored exclusively in China under Chinese jurisdiction
• You receive an Identity Access Management (IAM) admin user when signing up
• Support is provided by AWS China teams (not AWS Global support)

What are the Technical Differences?

Because AWS China and AWS Global are separate entities, there is no connectivity between them:

• No shared credentials: Your AWS Global account credentials don’t work in AWS China (and vice versa)
• No network connectivity: No VPC peering, PrivateLink, or AWS-managed VPN between China and Global regions
• Different resource namespaces: Separate S3 namespaces, different ARN format (arn:aws-cn: vs arn:aws:)
• Separate management consoles: console.amazonaws.cn (China) vs console.aws.amazon.com (Global)

How Do I Open an AWS China Account?

To create an AWS China account, you must first have a Chinese business license from a domestically-owned company, wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), or joint venture.

You’ll also need to designate an Information Security Administrator who is employed by your Chinese company, speaks Chinese, currently resides in China, and can provide a Chinese ID card or passport plus a valid Chinese mobile phone number.

If you don’t have a Chinese entity, you can work with an AWS Partner Network landing partner such as AppInChina to set up an account under their entity.

Account registration process:

1. Visit the AWS China account registration page
2. Complete the English-language registration process
3. After you have provided an email and chosen an IAM username, you will be prompted to input contact information. If you do not have a Chinese company, you will be unable to complete this step and will need to work with a certified AWS partner such as AppInChina. 
4. Wait 3-5 days for account approval (excluding ICP Filing time).
5. If you wish to provide public-facing content or applications under your AWS China account, you will also need to complete the ICP Filing. AppInChina will handle this for you when opening an account with us. 

Account Types:

When you first sign up for AWS China, you receive an Internal Access Account, which grants limited access to AWS China services. This account type is designed for internal projects or development that doesn’t require public internet access.

• Internal Access Account: Ports 80, 8080, and 443 are blocked, preventing public internet access. You can access resources via SSH (22) and RDP (3389), and use AWS APIs normally. No ICP Filing required. Suitable for personal projects or internal organizational use.
• Full Access Account: Required to serve public-facing content or applications. All ports accessible after completing ICP Filing verification. Required for any website or application that will be publicly accessible.
• PoC Account: You can also choose to open a “proof of concept” (PoC) account. This account allows companies to view and test the AWS China dashboard at no cost, ultimately to determine whether this is a suitable choice for them. As an AWS official partner, we can provide companies that choose to work with us with a PoC account. 

What is the Difference Between the Two AWS China Regions?

Both AWS China regions are fully compliant with Chinese law and supported by AWS technology. Each region has 3 Availability Zones. Together they offer 105 services, with 88 available in both regions. To check region-specific services, visit the AWS China Region Table.

Beijing Region (Sinnet/光环新网):

• Located in Northern China
• Lower latency for Beijing and Northern China users
• Slightly higher pricing
• Best for latency-sensitive applications serving Northern China
• Strong government and enterprise customer base

Ningxia Region (NWCD/西云数据):

• Located in Northwestern China (Zhongwei City, part of “Cloud Valley” tech initiative)
• Lower pricing with free tier available
• Good for cost-effective deployments
• Better for Southern and Western China
• Some instances priced up to 40% lower than Beijing Region

Why Choose AWS China?

AWS China is ideal for businesses that already use AWS International and want to expand into the Chinese market with familiar tools.

Key advantages:

• Familiar AWS Experience: If you already use AWS Global to deploy your solution, AWS China uses the same console, APIs, SDKs, and CLIs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure your presence in China is fully complaint by meeting China’s data sovereignty and cybersecurity requirements
• Better Performance: Hosting in China dramatically reduces latency (sub-50ms vs 200-500ms+ from international servers)
• Ecosystem Integration: Connect with Chinese services like Alipay, WeChat Pay, and local platforms
• Migration Support : AWS provides tools and partner solutions to help migrate from AWS Global to AWS China

What is the Pricing?

AWS China services are priced in Chinese Yuan (CNY) and processed by Sinnet and NWCD. Pricing structures are similar to AWS Global, with Ningxia Region generally offering slightly lower prices than Beijing Region

All payments must be made in CNY. For detailed pricing, visit the AWS China products page.

What Incentives are Available for New Users?

AWS China offers promotional credits and programs to help new users get started:

AWS Activate China Benefits:

• Portfolio Package: Up to CNY 100,000 (approximately USD 15,000) in credits for up to 2 years
• Portfolio Plus Package: Up to CNY 100,000 for 2 years, OR CNY 600,000 (approximately USD 100,000) for 1 year

Free Tier (Ningxia Region): Over 40 core services including EC2, S3, RDS, and Lambda with free usage tiers

Programs for International Software Vendors:

• AWS ISV Accelerate Program for go-to-market support
• AWS Partner Network (APN) for access to landing partners
• AWS Marketplace China with 150+ software products

For complete details, visit AWS Activate China Benefits.

What are the Compliance Requirements?

Successfully opening an AWS China account gives you the technical ability to host data in China, but does not ensure legal compliance. To legally operate a website or application, you must obtain:

Internet Content Provider Filing (ICP Filing, ICP备案）

The ICP Filing is required for all public-facing websites and applications. Processing time is typically 6-22 working days. Until the ICP Filing is complete, ports 80, 8080, and 443 remain blocked, preventing public access. AWS China customers who don’t intend to publish content publicly aren’t required to complete ICP Filing and can use an Internal Access Account immediately for development or internal projects.

Required materials:

• Business license of your Chinese company
• ID document and photo of the Information Security Administrator holding their ID
• Valid Chinese mobile phone number
• Corporate email address
• Domain name certificate
• Top-level domain name linked to a public IP (Elastic IP or ELB reserved IP)
• Authorization letter (if the administrator is not the legal representative)
• Additional materials depending on industry and region

Both AWS China regions provide support tools within the AWS console to help with the ICP Filing application process.

Mobile App Filing (应用程序备案)

The Mobile App Filing is a mandatory registration requirement for all mobile applications operating in mainland China. 

Public Security Bureau Filing (PSB Filing, 公安联网备案)

The PSB Filing is an additional local-level registration required after obtaining ICP Filing.

Commercial ICP License (ICP证)

The Commercial ICP License of B25 License is equired for websites offering e-commerce, transactions, or commercial services.

There are other compliace requirements that you may have to meet depending on your solution. Contact us to obtain a free compliance report confirming the specific licenses, filings, and certificates you need.

Is Customer Support Available in English?

Yes. AWS China provides customer support in English for general inquiries, technical support (requires an AWS Support Plan), and compliance guidance. You can contact AWS China customer support via: 

Email: aws-china-marketing@amazon.com (most detailed information, 2+ days response time)

Phone:

• Ningxia Region (NWCD): +86 10 1010 0966
• Beijing Region (Sinnet): +86 10 1010 0766
• Working hours: 9AM–8PM Beijing time

Online Chat: Fastest response with 1-3 minute reply times

Console Support Case: Best for technical issues (submit via your AWS China management console)

How Can AppInChina Help?

Setting up and operating AWS in China can be complex due to strict regulations and compliance requirements. At AppInChina, we can help you with: 

• Account Setup: As an AWS Certified Partner, we can open an AWS China account for your company without you needing to establish a Chinese entity. 
• Compliance Assessment: We provide a free assessment of your solution to determine which licenses, filing and certificates you require. Based on this we will confirm what options are available to you.
• ICP Filing: We can obtain the ICP Filing for your AWS Account along with any other necessary licenses, filings and certificates such as the PSB Filing.
• Technical Support: We conduct an assessment of your current service stack and provide a suitable plan for your solution in China. We can help set up your cloud environment on AWS China to ensure that your solution works. We also provide migration assistance from AWS Global to AWS China, and integration with Chinese services like WeChat and Alipay.

Contact us today for an initial call on deploying your services on AWS China.