Is China's Hainan underwater data center a good investment?

China's Hainan underwater data center is a monumental experiment—one embedded with technological ambition, sustainability goals, and geopolitical strategy. While challenges abound—from marine maintenance to cost structures—the potential upside in cooling efficiency, infrastructure scalability, and carbon reduction is profound.

How will Hainan Island be regulated before 2025?

Before Year 2025, full implementation of Zero-Tariffs on the entire Hainan Island, which will be applied to import duties, import VAT and consumption tax. Free flow through the first line (to Hainan Island) & efficient control at the second line (to mainland market).

Will Hainan become a free-trade zone?

In April 2018, China announced a decision to develop Hainan into a pilot free-trade zone while gradually exploring and steadily promoting the establishment of an FTP with Chinese characteristics. In June 2020, a master plan was unveiled to build the island into a globally influential and high-level FTP by the middle of the century.

Why is Hainan launching a data center in China?

The deployment sits within Hainan's free-trade zone, where China has relaxed regulations to allow full foreign ownership of data center and telecom operations. The project supports Hainan's push to become a maritime and tech innovation hub, integrating marine science, digital services, and offshore infrastructure.