China's computing infrastructure stretches from the desert to outer space
China is expanding its computing infrastructure, including data centers with massive processing capacity, not only into deserts but also the deep sea and outer space. Computing infrastructure is a core foundation of the digital era, underpinning artificial intelligence and big data. Foreign media outlets have been paying close attention to China's computing power infrastructure build-out.
CNN correspondent Simon McCarthy reported that Ulanqab, in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on the edge of the Gobi Desert, is rapidly growing into a data hub that supports AI development. Massive data centers are rising amid endless plains and fields of sunflowers and sorghum—some completed, others under construction. The data hub grown on the desert's edge also boasts standout energy advantages.
The BBC noted that Gansu Province offers a window into the scale of China's green energy transformation. China's clean energy edge is particularly pronounced in AI development, with several western regions enjoying abundant electricity well suited to energy-hungry computing power facilities. According to the Financial Times, Inner Mongolia's installed wind power capacity exceeds 100 gigawatts, ranking first nationwide and nearly four times that of the United Kingdom.
In May 2026, the Shanghai Lingang underwater data center project entered full operation. The Shanghai Lingang underwater data center is the world's first underwater data center to realize direct connection to offshore wind power and natural seawater cooling. The project is directly linked to offshore wind power generation, using renewable electricity directly and natural seawater for cooling, reducing energy consumption and freshwater use. France's Le Petit Journal and Britain's The Guardian praised its direct offshore wind connection as well as its energy savings and freshwater conservation benefits.
Turning to space, Azerbaijan's state news agency reported that China's "Xingsuan (Star Computing)" plan is building a network of 2,800 computing power satellites to establish key technologies such as large-scale model training in orbit. Under the traditional model, satellites must transmit collected data to ground stations before processing can begin. By contrast, the Xingsuan plan enables real-time computing in orbit, allowing data to be analyzed as soon as it is collected. Turkmen media pointed out that amid high demand for real-time data processing, it will form a mutually complementary relationship with ground-based data centers.
Foreign media assessed that China's green and smart transition in computing power development provides an important foundation for AI advancement. They also analyzed that it has brought new opportunities for coordinated regional development and international cooperation.
