THE direct investment in data centers on the Chinese mainland reached approximately US$880 million in the first half of 2021, ranking top in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a report. The report, released by real estate services and investment firm CBRE Group, showed that the total direct investment in data centers in Asia-Pacific amounted to US$1.8 billion in the period, equivalent to 80 percent of last year’s total. The investment is estimated to set a new record this year, after an already record-breaking performance in 2020. With 5G commercialization, the rapid development of the online economy amid the pandemic and the government’s strong support in “new infrastructure,” data centers are increasingly favored by investors, said Sam Xie, head of CBRE research in China. Xie said data center investment will continue its upward momentum this year, as long-term trends become increasingly important in the strategy development of investors. (Xinhua) | 