Amazon’s AWS cloud services division inked strategic cooperation agreement with Cloud Valley, a Beijing-based cloud computing infrastructure provider backed by CBC Capital, finally landing in Chinese market after loads of buzz since 2009, as well as the rumors fueled by a Chinese AWS website launched late 2012 (report in Chinese). Although the specific operation model between the two companies is not disclosed, they may refer to the model adopted by Microsoft’s Windows Azure when entering Chinese market. In November last year, Microsoft rolled out its enterprise cloud services Office 365 and Windows Azure in China through its partner 21Vianet Group, a large carrier-neutral internet data services provider. The entry of AWS will heat up the competition in the already-crowded Chinese cloud market packed with domestic players like AliCloud, Baidu Cloud, Sina Cloud and Ucloud. The key factor for AWS to tap Chinese market is localization, according to Ji Xinhua, CEO of domestic cloud computing startup Ucloud.