China builds 90 data centers in Ulanqab to rival US AI infrastructure
China is rapidly expanding its AI data center capacity, with nearly 90 facilities under construction in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia. The region, part of Beijing’s $560 billion five-year plan, leverages cheap green energy, abundant land, and minimal public opposition to accelerate AI development. By contrast, the US had roughly 10 times more AI data centers last year, according to Stanford research,…
Key points
- China plans 90 data centers in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, to support AI growth under a $560B five-year infrastructure push
- Local businesses benefit from construction jobs and increased demand, despite environmental trade-offs like dust and noise
- China’s advantage lies in cheap green energy and land, but hardware shortages and grid limitations persist
Local businesses report economic benefits from the construction, with migrant workers and increased demand boosting small enterprises. China’s strategy—known as Eastern data, Western compute—pairs AI infrastructure with excess renewable energy in rural areas, though challenges remain, including hardware shortages and logistical hurdles for high-speed data transmission. Envision’s 2GW Galaxy Campus, powered 80% by wind, exemplifies this approach, with demand already exceeding initial capacity.
The US is fighting over data centers. China is building them fast
cnn.com · 13 October 2026
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