Differences between Azure Global and Azure China

Microsoft Azure China was officially launched in 2014 and was the first international public cloud provider to bring its cloud technology to China. Azure global and Azure China provide resources and services to millions of customers worldwide.

Microsoft Azure is a physically separated instance of cloud services located in China. It’s independently operated and transacted by 21Vianet. Microsoft Azure services are running in 5 regions in China such as China North, China North 2, China North 3, China East, and China East 2. China’s North regions are located in Beijing and Hebei, while on the other hand, China’s East regions are located in Shanghai. China North and China East were released in 2014, China North 2 and China East 2 in 2018, and China North 3 in 2022.

The two versions of Azure, global and China, have differences in terms of the services offered, infrastructure, compliance, and security. Here’s a breakdown of the differences:

Infrastructure

Azure Global has data centers worldwide, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Azure China, however, is limited to data centers located within China. Microsoft has partnered with local companies such as 21Vianet and ChinaNetCenter to operate its data centers in China.

Compliance and Regulations

Azure Global and Azure China have different compliance requirements. Azure China is designed to comply with Chinese regulations and standards, which are different from those in other countries. For example, Azure China has been certified with the Chinese Information Security Certification Center (ISCCC) and the Multi-level Protection Scheme (MLPS). These certifications are required to operate in China and ensure that Azure China meets Chinese regulatory requirements.

Domain

Microsoft Azure China has its own domain (www.azure.cn/en-us/).

Services Offered

Azure Global offers a wider range of services than Azure China. Azure Global includes over 200 services, including artificial intelligence, internet of things, analytics, and serverless computing. Azure China, on the other hand, offers a more limited range of services, with around 50 services available. This is due to the regulatory requirements in China that require certain services to be run by local providers.

Here is a list of all available services.

Account Registration

Customers who want to use Azure China services must have a separate Azure China account, and they need to provide additional documentation, such as a valid Chinese business license issued by the Bureau of Industry and Commerce.

Support

The support options for Azure China customers are different from those available to Azure Global customers. Azure China customers receive support from Chinese-speaking support engineers, and their support requests are handled through the Azure China Support Center.

Security

Azure Global and Azure China have different security measures in place. Azure China has additional security measures due to the regulatory requirements in China. For example, customers in Azure China are required to go through additional identity verification steps, including providing their mobile number and Chinese ID card information. Azure China also has stricter data isolation requirements, meaning that data stored in China cannot be accessed by data centers located outside of China.

Pricing

Pricing for services in Azure China is different from Azure Global. Due to the regulations and requirements in China, pricing for services in Azure China is often higher than in Azure Global. Additionally, some services that are available for free in Azure Global may have a fee in Azure China.

Marketplace

Microsoft Azure China has its own marketplace. Azure China’s marketplace is completely separate from the global marketplace.

Payment

Azure Global has two purchase options: Pay as You Go (PAYG) and Pay In- Advance. Azure China offers a Pay-In-Advance model.

Purchase programs

Azure Global users have multiple channels to purchase the service, including signing Enterprise Agreement / Cloud and Server Enrollment with Microsoft, Self-purchasing Online, purchasing thru Partners, etc. In China, there are two purchase programs, which are Offline Contracts signed by enterprise customers with pre-committed agreement only and Online Purchases for self-purchase online by either individual or enterprise customers.

How Rahi Can Support Businesses Adopt Azure in China

We are a global IT solutions provider that has extensive experience helping businesses adopt Azure in China.
Our team of experts can provide a range of services to support your adoption of the Azure platform, including:

Our team has already helped many Western companies successfully adopt and integrate Azure in China, and we can bring that expertise to your business too. With our support, you can leverage the power of Azure to drive your digital transformation and grow your business in China.

Conclusion

Azure Global and Azure China have differences in terms of the services offered, infrastructure, compliance, security, and pricing. Customers who require specific services or need to comply with Chinese regulations may find Azure China to be a better fit, while those who require a wider range of services and a global infrastructure may prefer Azure Global.