China has initiated a pilot program permitting foreign companies to run data centers and provide telecommunications services within the country.

This program, initiated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), aims to boost foreign involvement in the digital services sector.

The program is being launched in Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan, and Shenzhen, according to China’s Xinhua news agency.

It allows foreign businesses to establish and operate internet data centers and participate in online data and transaction processing.