Creating an AWS account in China requires a different process than the global AWS registration due to local regulatory requirements and compliance standards. AWS China operates through local partners (Sinnet for Beijing region and NWCD for Ningxia region) and requires additional verification steps. This comprehensive tutorial will guide you through the entire process of setting up your AWS China account.

Why You Need a Separate AWS China Account

Before diving into the registration process, it’s important to understand why AWS China requires a separate account:

• Regulatory Compliance: China has strict data localization laws requiring data to stay within Chinese borders
• Local Operations: AWS China is operated by local partners Sinnet and NWCD, not Amazon directly
• Service Differences: Some AWS services available globally may not be available in China, and vice versa
• Billing and Support: Separate billing in CNY and localized support in Chinese

Prerequisites for Registration

Required Information

Before starting the registration process, ensure you have:

• Valid Email Address: For account verification and notifications
• Company Information: Full legal company name and registration details
• Business License: Scanned copy of your business registration certificate
• Contact Person Details: Name, phone number, and email of company contact
• Cybersecurity Leader Information: Name and contact details of your cybersecurity responsible person
• ID Documents: Valid ID for the cybersecurity leader
• Phone Number: Valid mainland China mobile number for verification

Important Notes

• Company Entity Required: Individual accounts are not available; you must register as a business entity
• Chinese Language Support: Much of the process and documentation is in Chinese
• Verification Time: Account activation can take up to 2 business days
• ICP Compliance: If hosting websites, you’ll need ICP (Internet Content Provider) licensing

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1: Access the Registration Page

1. Open the AWS China Registration Page
   • Visit: https://www.amazonaws.cn/en/about-aws/china/faqs/signup-process/
   • Click on the “Create Account” link or navigate to the registration page
   • Note: The interface language follows your browser settings but can be changed
2. Email Verification
   • Enter your email address for registration
   • Check your email for a verification code from AWS
   • Input the 6-digit verification code
   • Click “Continue” to proceed

Step 2: Set Up Username and Password

1. Choose Username
   • Create a unique username (e.g., “yourcompanychina”)
   • This will be your IAM user name for the account
2. Set Password
   • Create a strong password following AWS requirements
   • Confirm the password
   • Remember this password for future logins

Step 3: Complete Account Information

1. Contact Person Details
   • Full name of the company contact person
   • Valid mainland China mobile phone number
   • Email address (should match registration email)
2. Company Information
   • Full Company Name: Must be the exact legal name as registered
   • Office Address: Complete address including:
     • Province/Autonomous Region/Municipality
     • City
     • District
     • Street number and floor information
     • Postal code
3. Invoice Preference
   • Choose whether you need fapiao (Chinese tax invoices)
   • If yes, additional tax information may be required later
4. Customer Agreement
   • Review the AWS China Customer Agreement
   • Check the box to confirm you’ve read and agree to the terms

Step 4: Business Information Validation

This is the most critical step requiring document uploads and compliance information:

1. Upload Business License
   • Scan your business registration certificate
   • Ensure the document is clear and all text is readable
   • File format: PDF or image (JPG/PNG)
2. Cybersecurity Leader Information
   • Name: Full name of the person responsible for cybersecurity
   • Contact Details:
     • Valid email address
     • Valid mainland China mobile phone number
     • Landline number (if available; otherwise use mobile again)
3. Upload ID Document
   • For Chinese citizens: Valid ID card number and scanned copy
   • For foreigners: Valid passport or residence permit
   • Ensure the name matches exactly with the cybersecurity leader name

Step 5: Phone Verification

1. Enter Phone Number
   • Use the mainland China mobile number provided earlier
   • This must be the same number used in contact information
2. Receive Verification Code
   • AWS will send a 4-digit SMS verification code
   • Enter the code in the provided field
3. Complete Verification
   • Click “Continue” to proceed to the next step

Step 6: Select Support Plan

Choose from available AWS Support plans:

• Basic Support: Free, limited support
• Developer Support: For development/testing environments
• Business Support: For production workloads
• Enterprise Support: For mission-critical applications

Consider your needs and budget when selecting a plan.

Registration Results and Next Steps

Scenario 1: Immediate Activation

If your information passes initial validation:

• Account is activated immediately
• Receive confirmation email
• Click “Sign in to the Console” to access AWS China Management Console
• URL: https://console.amazonaws.cn

Scenario 2: Under Review

If additional verification is needed:

• Account status shows “under review”
• Receive email notification within 2 business days
• Follow instructions in the email to complete verification
• May need to provide additional documentation

Scenario 3: Verification Failed

If information doesn’t meet requirements:

• Account registration is rejected
• Receive email with rejection reasons
• Click “Resubmit information” link in the email
• Correct issues and resubmit application
• Verification result within 2 business days

Post-Registration Setup

First Login to Console

1. Visit https://console.amazonaws.cn
2. Sign in with your username and password
3. Set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for security
4. Review and accept any additional terms if prompted

Initial Configuration

1. Create IAM Users: Don’t use root account for daily operations
2. Set Up Billing Alerts: Configure cost monitoring
3. Configure Regions: Choose between cn-north-1 or cn-northwest-1
4. Security Settings: Enable AWS Security services available in China

Essential First Steps

1. Fapiao Setup: If you need invoices, configure tax information
2. ICP Registration: If hosting websites, apply for ICP license
3. Resource Limits: Request service limit increases if needed
4. Support Case: Open a support case for any immediate issues

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Registration Problems

Email Not Received

• Check spam/junk folders
• Verify email address is correct
• Contact AWS China support if still not received

Document Upload Issues

• Ensure documents are in supported formats (PDF, JPG, PNG)
• File size should be under limits (typically 5MB)
• Text must be clearly readable
• Company name must match exactly

Phone Verification Problems

• Ensure phone number format is correct (+86XXXXXXXXXX)
• Check SMS delivery (may be delayed in some areas)
• Try different times of day

Post-Registration Issues

Forgot Password

1. Go to https://console.amazonaws.cn
2. Click “Forgot password?”
3. Enter Account ID, IAM username, and captcha
4. Check email for reset link (valid for 1 hour)

Account ID Unknown

• Check the confirmation email from initial registration
• Account ID is a 12-digit number
• Can be found in AWS China console URL after login

Access Denied

• Verify region selection (cn-north-1 or cn-northwest-1)
• Check IAM permissions
• Ensure MFA is set up correctly

Compliance and Legal Considerations

Data Residency

• All data stored in AWS China stays within Chinese borders
• Compliance with Chinese cybersecurity laws
• Subject to local data protection regulations

Business License Requirements

• Must be a legally registered company in China or Hong Kong
• Valid business license required for verification
• Regular license renewal monitoring

Cybersecurity Leader

• Designated person responsible for information security
• Must have valid contact information
• Responsible for compliance reporting

Cost and Billing Information

Billing Currency

• All charges in Chinese Yuan (CNY)
• Separate from global AWS USD billing
• Monthly invoices with fapiao available

Free Tier

• Limited free tier available for new accounts
• Different from global AWS free tier
• Monitor usage to avoid unexpected charges

Payment Methods

• Bank transfer (recommended for businesses)
• Credit cards (limited acceptance)
• Local payment partners

Support and Resources

Getting Help

• AWS China Support: Available based on your support plan
• Documentation: Localized Chinese documentation
• Forums: AWS China developer forums
• Partner Network: Local AWS partners for assistance

Useful Links

• AWS China Console: https://console.amazonaws.cn
• Documentation: https://docs.amazonaws.cn
• Support: Contact through console or phone
• Pricing: Separate pricing page for China regions

Best Practices for AWS China

Account Management

1. Use IAM Users: Never use root account for daily operations
2. Enable MFA: Required for account security
3. Monitor Costs: Set up billing alerts
4. Regular Backups: Implement data backup strategies

Security Best Practices

1. Least Privilege: Grant minimum required permissions
2. Encryption: Use available encryption services
3. Network Security: Configure security groups and VPCs properly
4. Compliance Monitoring: Regular security assessments

Operational Excellence

1. Multi-Region Strategy: Consider both China regions for redundancy
2. Automation: Use CloudFormation and automation tools
3. Monitoring: Implement comprehensive monitoring with available services
4. Documentation: Maintain detailed operational documentation

Conclusion

Creating an AWS account in China is a more involved process than global AWS registration due to regulatory requirements and local compliance standards. However, following this step-by-step guide will help you navigate the process successfully.

Remember that AWS China accounts are completely separate from global AWS accounts, requiring different credentials, billing, and operational procedures. Once activated, you’ll have access to AWS services optimized for the Chinese market while ensuring compliance with local regulations.

If you encounter any issues during registration, AWS China support is available to assist you. The key to success is ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete before submission to minimize verification delays.

For businesses planning to operate in China, AWS China provides a reliable, compliant cloud platform that adheres to local regulations while offering the scalability and services needed for digital transformation in the Chinese market.