A Comparative Review of Tencent Cloud’s International and Domestic Versions
Many people interpret “Tencent Cloud Domestic Edition” as “servers located in mainland China” and “Tencent Cloud International Edition” as “servers located overseas.” This statement is only half correct. More precisely, the Chinese mainland edition of Tencent Cloud corresponds to
Tencent Cloud China Site
, the international version corresponds to
Tencent Cloud International Station
First and foremost, the two entities operate on entirely separate account, transaction, payment, invoicing, contracting, and compliance systems.
Tencent Cloud’s official account documentation clearly states that accounts on the China site and the international site are completely isolated from one another and cannot be transferred or merged. Accounts registered on the China site are intended for corporate users based in mainland China, as well as individual users residing in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Accounts on the international site are designed for organizations and enterprises outside of China, including overseas branches of Chinese companies.
Therefore, when deciding between the China-based and the international version of Tencent Cloud, you shouldn’t just look at which region the servers are located in; instead, you should first consider:
Where is your organization based? Who will be making the payments? Who will handle expense reimbursement? Do you need an ICP filing in mainland China? Do you require a Chinese yuan (RMB) invoice? Is your team collaborating across borders? Where are your primary business users located?
One-sentence conclusion
For projects undertaken by Mainland China-based enterprises that primarily serve users in Mainland China and require RMB settlement, VAT invoices, ICP filing, and domestic payment methods, Tencent Cloud’s China site is the preferred choice.
For projects involving overseas companies, teams based in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or other regions outside mainland China, primarily serving international users, requiring USD settlement, international payment methods, a multilingual console, and an offshore legal entity as the contracting party, we recommend prioritizing Tencent Cloud’s International Site.
The international site is not inherently exempt from ICP filing requirements. If your business is deployed in mainland China or if you use servers or a CDN based in mainland China to deliver website services to external users, you will still be subject to compliance requirements such as real-name verification and ICP filing.
According to the documentation on the Tencent Cloud International Site, users of the international site are required to complete real-name verification when purchasing and using cloud services in Mainland China. The Tencent Cloud ICP page also states that websites providing services to Mainland China must first obtain ICP registration or filing.
Overview of Core Differences
Dimension
Tencent Cloud China Site
Tencent Cloud International Station
Review Conclusion
Target Audience for the Account
Corporate users in Mainland China; individual users in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan
Foreign organizations and enterprises, as well as overseas branches of Chinese enterprises
The location of the main entity determines the preferred site.
Account resources
Completely isolated from the international site; no transfer or merger is possible.
Completely isolated from the China site; no transfer or merger possible.
You can’t just register arbitrarily; the cost of migrating later is high.
Real-name verification
Real-name verification is required to purchase or use cloud services.
Real-name verification is required only when purchasing or using cloud services within China.
The compliance workflow for domestic business is smoother on the China site.
Trading currency
Renminbi
US dollar
Significant discrepancies in finance, exchange rates, and invoices.
Transaction Preparation
The account must complete real-name verification.
Bind a credit card to your account or apply for a credit limit.
The international platform is more aligned with overseas postpaid/credit systems.
Payment Methods
Bank transfers, WeChat top-ups, QQ top-ups, online banking, balance payments, and online payments, among others.
Bank transfers, online top-ups, automatic direct debit, payment using available credit, online payments, etc.
country
It’s more convenient for domestic enterprises to make payments on the China site.
Invoice tax
Supports Chinese VAT invoices; verified businesses can issue special invoices.
Invoices on the international platform are displayed in USD, and the tax rate varies depending on the product, the location of the registered entity, and the sales channel.
Prices cannot be directly compared across different contexts.
Regional resources
Accounts registered on the China site can purchase instances in the China regions as well as in other countries/regions.
The international site is deployed globally and can also be used in mainland China regions when the requirements are met.
“A site” is not the same as “the data center region.”
ICP Filing
The website ICP filing process in Mainland China is now more comprehensive.
Deployments in Mainland China still require ICP filing. Non-commercial ICP filings must be submitted through the Tencent Cloud China site.
Filing is based on the deployment location, not the site name.
Contracting Parties
Tencent Cloud Computing (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and other entities based in Mainland China
Match by registered country/region: Tencent Cloud Europe B.V., Tencent Cloud LLC, Tencent Cloud International Pte. Ltd., etc.
Corporate legal procurement must be carefully verified.
User Experience
Strong local Chinese ecosystem, domestic payment solutions, domestic tax and financial compliance, and robust ICP filing support.
English/multilingual portal, overseas payment options, international contracts, and enhanced multi-region support.
Choose the China site for domestic business, and the international site for cross-border business.
The above key differences are primarily derived from the comparison table between the China site and the international site in Tencent Cloud’s official “Tencent Cloud Account Overview.”
Dimension 1: Accounts and Entities – The two sites are not two entry points under the same account.
The fundamental difference between Tencent Cloud’s China site and its international site lies in the isolation of their account and resource systems. Tencent Cloud’s official statement is very direct:
Account resources on the China site are completely isolated from those on the international site and cannot be transferred or merged.
This means you cannot “one-click convert” a China site account into an international site account, nor can you directly transfer resources, billing information, discounts, invoices, or contractual relationships from an international site account to the China site.
This is very important for businesses. Many companies, in their early stages, prioritized convenience by provisioning cloud resources using personal accounts or incorrect organizational units. It is only during audits, expense reimbursements, ICP filing, due diligence for financing, or corporate cloud governance initiatives that they realize: the account owner, invoice header, contract party, and resource ownership do not align. Tencent Cloud also reminds users that account and resource ownership is determined by real-name verification, and advises against obtaining accounts from non-official channels.
The China site is more suitable for business entities based in mainland China. Tencent Cloud’s China site provides documentation on enterprise real-name authentication. The China site only supports authentication for corporate users based in mainland China. Enterprises registered in Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan, as well as international enterprises and users outside of China, should proceed to the International Site for authentication.
The international platform is better suited for overseas enterprises, multinational teams, and Chinese companies’ overseas subsidiaries or branches. Users of the international site are required to complete real-name registration in accordance with Mainland China’s laws and regulations only when they purchase or use cloud services in Mainland China. If they are using regions outside Mainland China, such as Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Silicon Valley, Frankfurt, or Hong Kong, they typically do not need to go through the real-name verification and ICP filing procedures applicable to the Chinese site.
Evaluation judgment:
At the account level
The China site is a “cloud platform friendly to mainland China-based entities,” while the international site is a “cloud platform friendly to overseas entities and global businesses.” Before the technical team selects a site, it is advisable to first obtain confirmation from the finance, legal, tax, and business heads regarding the entity ownership.
Dimension 2: Registration and Login Experience – Domestic Ecosystem vs. International Ecosystem
The registration process on the Chinese site is more aligned with the Chinese internet environment. The registration methods listed in the Tencent Cloud China site’s registration documentation include quick registration via WeChat scan, email registration, QQ registration, Mini Program Official Account registration, and Enterprise WeChat registration. If you plan to use the account as a business entity, Tencent Cloud recommends registering with an email address, through a Mini Program Official Account, or using Enterprise WeChat, to reduce the risk of losing access to the account when employees leave the company.
The international site is more aligned with the working habits of overseas teams. According to the login documentation on the Tencent Cloud International Site, international account users can log in using an email address, a Google Account, or a Passkey. The registration page on the international platform also reminds users that the selected registration region will affect exchange rates and tax rates, and cannot be changed after registration. This has a direct impact on multinational companies’ tax compliance, payment processes, and invoicing.
Evaluation judgment:
If your team is primarily based in mainland China, using WeChat, Enterprise WeChat, QQ, Chinese mobile phone numbers, and Chinese-language tickets will provide a smoother experience on the China site. If your team is based overseas, using email addresses, Google Sign-In, credit cards, and USD billing makes the international platform a more natural fit.
Dimension 3: Real-Name Verification – Mandatory on the China site; on the international site, it is triggered only when using resources located in mainland China.
Real-name verification requirements are stricter on the Chinese site. Overview of Real-Name Verification on the China Site of Tencent Cloud: A Tencent Cloud account must complete real-name verification before it can purchase and use cloud services. Real-name verification also directly determines the ownership of the account and its associated resources. For enterprise users, if personal information is used for real-name verification, subsequent changes in personnel or account disputes could disrupt business operations and result in financial losses.
The international platform does not require full real-name verification across the board; instead, it triggers real-name verification based on specific scenarios. Tencent Cloud International’s real-name verification documentation states that users of the international site must complete real-name registration when purchasing and using cloud services in Mainland China. Individual identity information can be used to verify up to three Tencent Cloud accounts, while enterprise identity information can verify up to ten Tencent Cloud accounts.
The China site also imposes restrictions on the certification entity. For the China site, personal real-name verification supports Mainland Chinese ID cards, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, and Mainland Travel Permits for Taiwan Residents. Other types of international documents require verification on the international site. China site enterprise real-name verification is only available to businesses registered in mainland China. Enterprises based in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or overseas should go to the international site.
Evaluation judgment:
If you are a mainland China-based company, you must prioritize real-name verification and ensure consistency between your corporate entity and the registration on the Chinese Alibaba Cloud platform. If you are an overseas company, the international Alibaba Cloud site is more suitable; however, once you begin using cloud resources in mainland China, you will inevitably need to comply with real-name verification and ICP filing requirements.
Dimension Four: Billing, Payment, and Taxation — The financial logic underlying pricing structures is entirely different.
The transaction currency differs between the Chinese site and the international site. According to the official comparison table for Tencent Cloud accounts, the Chinese site uses RMB as its transaction currency, while the international site uses USD; both sites support both prepaid and postpaid billing models, but the international site…
Transaction preparation typically involves binding a credit card or applying for a credit limit. On the Chinese platform, however, completing real-name authentication is the prerequisite step.
The payment methods are also clearly different. The China site supports bank transfers, WeChat top-ups, QQ top-ups, online banking, auto-recharge, balance payments, and online payments. The Tencent Cloud Billing Center FAQ also states that online top-ups on the China site support WeChat Pay, QQ Wallet, online banking payments, as well as direct bank-enterprise connection dedicated account transfers and legacy corporate account transfers.
The international platform is more aligned with overseas payment systems. According to the payment documentation on the international site, Tencent Cloud supports credit and debit cards issued by card networks including VISA, MasterCard, JCB, Discover, AMEX, and UnionPay. Prepaid products on the international site can be paid for using credit/debit cards or by drawing on available account balance. For postpaid services, in addition to credit cards, payments can also be made via bank transfer.
Tax and invoice discrepancies are more significant. After making a purchase on the China site, you can apply for a VAT invoice. The invoice will be a digital electronic invoice. Enterprise accounts that have completed real-name authentication can issue either special VAT invoices or general VAT invoices. Tencent Cloud also notes that, starting from the end of May 2024, it has fully transitioned to digital electronic invoices and no longer supports the issuance of paper invoices or traditional electronic invoices.
Invoices on the international platform are settled and displayed in USD. Tax rates vary depending on the product, the jurisdiction of the account registrant, and the sales channel. Current standard tax rates include 0%, 6%, 7%, 10%, 11%, 20%, and 21%. The tax rate shown on the invoice shall prevail. The Alibaba.com Terms of Service also state that, unless otherwise specified in region- or service-specific terms, fees do not include taxes, and users are responsible for paying any applicable taxes.
Evaluation judgment:
Don’t just compare “unit prices of servers with the same configuration.” The China site and the international site differ in terms of currency, taxes and fees, exchange rates, payment processing fees, tax-deductible invoices, contracting parties, payment terms, and credit approval models. Chinese mainland-based companies generally have lower overall financial costs when operating on the China site, while overseas entities tend to be more compliant and find it easier to navigate internal procurement processes when using the international site.
Dimension 5: Region and Network – A site is not a data center; it’s the region that determines the user experience.
A Tencent Cloud China region account is not limited to purchasing servers only in mainland China. The Tencent Cloud CVM FAQ clearly states that a single account registered on the China site can be used to purchase instances in both Chinese regions and regions outside China, eliminating the need to separately register accounts for the China site and the international site.
According to Tencent Cloud’s global infrastructure page, the company has launched 22 geographic regions and operates 64 availability zones. In terms of CDN, Tencent Cloud has deployed over 2,300 edge nodes within China and more than 900 outside China, covering over 70 countries and regions worldwide.
What truly affects access speed are the region, availability zone, user’s location, cross-border links, CDN nodes, and network architecture—rather than whether you’re logged into the China site or the international site. Tencent Cloud’s region documentation also states that the closer a user is to the region where their resources are deployed, the lower the network latency and the faster the access speed. Resources in different regions are physically isolated from one another and, by default, cannot communicate over the internal network; they can only connect via public IP addresses.
Or networked communication.
There is also the issue of migration costs: the region and availability zone of a CVM instance cannot be changed at will. If you need to migrate to another country or region, you typically need to re-purchase instances or migrate them using methods such as image replication. Tencent Cloud Documents explicitly states that the region and availability zone of an instance cannot be changed. If you need to use the instance in another country or region, you must purchase a new instance.
Evaluation judgment:
The site-level approach addresses issues related to “accounts, contracts, payments, and compliance,” while the region-level approach tackles challenges such as “latency, data residency, network quality, and disaster recovery.” The China site can also be deployed overseas, and the international site may use resources based in mainland China. However, once it is deployed within mainland China, it must comply with mainland China’s regulations.
Dimension 6: Product Capabilities and Usability – Products with the same name do not necessarily deliver the same user experience.
Tencent Cloud’s China site and international site offer many products with the same names, such as CVM, COS, CDN, database services, audio and video solutions, IM, and EdgeOne. However, having the same name does not mean that the user experience is identical across all regions, accounts, or industries.
Tencent Cloud Terms of Service: For certain services, users may select a service region. Tencent Cloud will store user data in the region selected by the user. Meanwhile, Tencent Cloud may also discontinue, restrict, modify, or remove a particular service, service component, or availability in specific service regions, territories, or industry sectors.
Regional differences are also evident in the CVM documentation: Cloud Marketplace images are not available for purchase in regions outside of China. Certain instance types can only be purchased in mainland China regions, and some may not be supported in overseas regions. Additionally, the availability status of instances may vary by region, so it is recommended to contact your sales representative or use online chat support to confirm.
Evaluation judgment:
When conducting a formal selection, don’t just look at the product’s homepage. You need to use the target site account to place actual orders for testing under the target region, target specifications, and target billing method, especially for products such as GPUs, databases, SMS, audio and video, security compliance, domain names, CDN, AI, financial zones, and industry clouds.
Dimension 7: ICP Filing and Mainland China Compliance – The International Site Is Not an “Exemption Channel” for Filing
This is the most easily misunderstood point. Many third-party articles promote Tencent Cloud’s international site as “not requiring ICP filing,” but a more accurate description is:
If your application is not deployed in mainland China, you generally do not need to obtain a Chinese ICP filing. However, once it is hosted on servers located in mainland China or delivers content via CDN nodes based in mainland China, an ICP filing or relevant license will be required.
Tencent Cloud International’s ICP page explains that foreign-invested enterprises wishing to host websites in Mainland China or use CDN instances to deliver paid internet services must first apply for ICP registration. China adopts a licensing system for commercial internet information services and a filing system for non-commercial internet information services.
For non-commercial websites hosted on Tencent Cloud servers located in mainland China, the ICP filing application must be submitted through the Chinese-language Tencent Cloud website. Tencent Cloud also stated that if an ICP filing has not been submitted to the Tencent Cloud China site, directly resolving a domain name to a CVM or Lighthouse instance in Mainland China, or to its…
For his Tengxun cloud service, the website access request will be blocked by Tengxun Cloud China Station and the user will be notified to complete the filing process.
On the other hand, if you are using a server in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan or other countries and regions, Tencent Cloud CVM FAQ indicates that ICP filing is not required for domain names. Only websites in mainland China need to file.
Evaluation judgment:
For serious business facing users in mainland China, it is best to plan the main body, domain name, real name authentication, ICP filing, public security networking filing, operating ICP license and industry pre-approval together from the beginning. International stations can serve global business, but cannot circumvent the Internet compliance requirements in mainland China.
Dimension 8: The subject of the contract and the application of the law-enterprise procurement must focus on
There are obvious differences between China Station and International Station in the main body of the contract. Tencent Cloud China Station service agreement is clear, the agreement is Tencent Cloud Computing (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Tencent Cloud users on the use of Tencent Cloud services.
The International Station determines the subject of the contract and the applicable law based on the country/region in the registration information. The terms of service of Tencent Cloud International Station state that the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland correspond to Tencent Cloud Europe B.V., North America corresponds to Tencent Cloud LLC, South Korea corresponds to Tencent Korea Yuhan Hoesa, and the rest generally corresponds to Tencent Cloud International Pte. Ltd. 。 At the same time, if the service occurs in the PRC region, the service is provided by Tencent Cloud Computing (Beijing) Co., Ltd., and PRC Service Region Terms apply.
This is critical for corporate procurement and auditing. The contract subject affects supplier access, legal review, payment routing, tax processing, data processing agreements, dispute resolution, invoice documents, and group compliance. Multinational enterprises, in particular, should not only let R & D personnel register their accounts at will, otherwise they may need to re-sign contracts, re-pay and re-migrate resources at a later stage.
Evaluation judgment:
Technically, they are all called tengxunyun, and they may not be the same signing subject in legal affairs. Medium and large enterprises should complete supplier and contract entity confirmation before account creation.
Dimension 9: Data location and privacy compliance-geographical selection is more critical than site name
The privacy policy of the International Station distinguishes between account management information and user-uploaded content: information used to set up and manage accounts is processed by Tengxun Cloud as the controller; content uploaded, transmitted or displayed by users through the service is stored by Tengxun Cloud for the purpose of providing the service, and the user itself is still the data controller of the content.
The International Station Terms of Service also state that certain services allow the selection of a geographically defined service area; when the service area is applicable, Tengxun Cloud will store User Data in the service area selected by the user upon request.
However, the privacy policy also suggests that the Tengxun cloud server may be located outside the user's country, such as mainland China. If the user chooses to use PR
C's server, Tengxun Cloud will use certificates or corporate documents to ensure that the account is legally verified in accordance with local laws.
Evaluation judgment:
If your business involves GDPR, PDPA, financial data, medical data, game real name, cross-border data transmission, etc., you should not only look at "China Station/International Station", but also look at the service area, data processing protocol, log location, backup location, support team access path and local regulatory requirements.
Dimension 10: Language, Support and Teamwork-The experience of domestic teams is different from that of overseas teams
The international website page provides language portals such as English, Chinese, simplified Chinese, Portugu, Bahasa Indonesia, etc., and is marked to contact sales, submit work orders, and view support resources. The International Station Global Infrastructure page also lists 24/7 technical support, as well as local phone support portals for Hong Kong, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
China station is more suitable for Chinese team and Chinese mainland enterprise process. It is more complete in real name authentication, WeChat/QQ/online banking payment, enterprise WeChat registration, digital electricity invoice, ICP filing, domestic customer service and Chinese document ecology. Tengxunyun China Station registration documents are also obviously designed around WeChat, QQ, enterprise WeChat, small program public number and other Chinese local identities and collaboration methods.
Evaluation judgment:
Domestic research and development, finance, legal affairs and operations are all in mainland China, with the highest efficiency in China. Multinational teams, overseas finance, overseas legal affairs and overseas account managers are more involved, and international stations are smoother.
Typical Scenario Selection Recommendations
Scenario 1: Mainland China company, website/App mainly serves Mainland China users
Preferred
Tencent Cloud China Site
。
The reason is that real name authentication, RMB settlement, WeChat/QQ/online banking/corporate payment, VAT invoice, ICP filing, Chinese documents and domestic service system are more matched. Especially when the domain name needs to be resolved to CVM, Lighthouse, CLB, COS static website or CDN node in mainland China, the filing link of China station is more complete.
Scenario 2: Mainland Chinese companies doing offshore business
Can continue to use
Tencent Cloud China Station Purchases Overseas Regional Resources
。 Tencent cloud official said that China station accounts can purchase instances in China and other countries or regions without applying for international station accounts separately.
If the overseas business is operated independently by the overseas subsidiary, with independent payment, independent tax filing and independent compliance, it is recommended to register a separate international station account for the overseas entity, and make independent billing, independent authority and independent contract.
Scenario 3: Overseas companies only serve overseas users
Preferred
Tencent Cloud International Station
。
The reason is that US dollar settlement, credit/debit/bank transfer, international contract subject, multi-language entrance and overseas support are more suitable for overseas companies. The server can be deployed in Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Frankfurt, Silicon Valley, Virginia, Hong Kong, China and other regions, usually does not involve mainland China ICP filing.
Scenario 4: Overseas companies enter the Chinese mainland market
Can be from
Tencent Cloud International Station
Start, but Chinese mainland compliance should be designed in advance.
If the website is hosted on a server in mainland China, the ICP filing for a non-operating website must be submitted through Tencent Cloud China. If the ICP filing is not directly resolved to cloud resources in mainland China, access may be blocked.
It is safer to plan the main body of the Chinese station, the main body of the record, the domain name, the server, the invoice and the contract separately for the mainland business. Overseas business continues to go to the international station to prevent all business from being mixed in one account.
Subjective score
Evaluation Dimensions
China station
International site
Explanation
Ease of use for enterprises in mainland China
9/10
6 out of 10
China stands more smoothly in real name, payment, invoice and filing.
Ease of use for overseas enterprises
5/10
9/10
International stands are more appropriate for contracts, dollar bills, overseas payments.
Mainland China Compliance Landing
9/10
7/10
The international station can use mainland China resources, but the filing link will eventually not be able to bypass the China station.
Global deployment convenience
8/10
9/10
Both can cover global resources, the international station is closer to the overseas team
Convenience of expense reimbursement
Chinese mainland companies 9/10
Overseas companies 9/10
Depending on where the business is registered and where the tax is located.
Product consistency
7/10
7/10
Products with the same name need to be verified by region, specification and function
Multilingual collaboration
6 out of 10
9/10
International station is more suitable for multinational teams
Migration flexibility
5/10
5/10
The account resources of the two stations are isolated and cannot be transferred or merged.
The easiest pitfalls to fall into
First, the misconception that international stations must not be filed.
Only when you do not use mainland Chinese servers or mainland Chinese CDN nodes, mainland Chinese ICP filing is usually not required. Mainland Chinese websites still need to be filed or licensed.
Second, mistakenly believe that China station account can not buy overseas servers.
Tencent cloud official said that China station accounts can purchase instances in China and other countries or regions without applying for China station and international station accounts respectively.
Third, it is mistaken that the accounts of the two stations can be merged.
The official clearly stated that the account resources of the Chinese station and the international station are completely isolated and cannot be transferred or merged.
Fourth, the price of the dollar was mistakenly compared directly with the price of the renminbi.
International station invoices are settled in USD, and the tax rate varies with the product, the location of the registered entity and the channel. China Station is China's VAT invoice system.
Fifth, use personal accounts to carry enterprise business.
Tengxunyun emphasizes that real-name authentication directly affects the ownership of account numbers and resources. If enterprise resources are authenticated to individual names, subsequent personnel changes or account disputes may cause business and economic losses.
Final Conclusion
The essential difference between the international and domestic versions of Tencent Cloud is not the difference between "overseas servers" and "Chinese servers",
Two sets of cloud service portals for different entities, different financial systems, and different compliance paths.
。
The advantages of China Station are:
Mainland China subject friendly, RMB settlement, domestic payment, increase.
Value tax number electric invoice, ICP filing connection, Chinese ecology and localization support.
The advantages of the international station are:
Foreign subject friendly, US dollar settlement, credit/debit card/bank transfer, multi-language portal, overseas contract subject and global team collaboration experience.
