(Yicai Global) Feb. 28 -- Guizhou-Cloud Big Data Industry Development Co. formally took over as operator of the iCloud service of Apple Inc. in the Chinese mainland today.

Mainland users will now find upon opening the iCloud app a highlighted notification that Guizhou-Cloud Big Data, which the government of Guizhou province in Southwest China formed, is the new cloud operator. After servers localize, users can enjoy quicker access, ithome.com reported. Guizhou-Cloud Big Data is also responsible for the legal and financial affairs of mainland iCloud users. Those who decline to upload their data to the new server may either deactivate their iCloud function or transfer their Apple ID abroad.

Apple announced the decision to build its first mainland data center in the province in an agreement with Guizhou-Cloud Big Data and with USD1 billion investment by the US computer and device giant. It also disclosed in January the Guizhou-Cloud Big Data takeover set for the end of February. 

The Gui'an New Area in Guizhou's provincial capital of Guiyang is building a national Big Data industry cluster dubbed the Data Valley of China. Other firms are also settling their data centers here, including internet titanTencent Holdings Ltd. and gargantuan telecom device maker Huawei Technologies Co.