Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co Ltd has launched the industry's first financial lease project for data center equipment in Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area, using a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) structure.

The lessee is one of China's leading third-party data center operators, with extensive experience developing and operating computing infrastructure. Through financial leasing, it can address the substantial upfront investment requirements and lengthy capital cycles associated with data center equipment.

From the lessor's perspective, the project features stable demand and predictable cash flows, with customized lease agreements between the operator and leading internet companies providing strong repayment security.

The project is an early beneficiary of the action plan released on June 17 by the National Financial Regulatory Administration and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government to support the city's development as an international financial center. 

The plan encourages companies to pilot SPV-based financial leasing in Lin-gang for data center equipment, resource extraction machinery, industrial robots, simulators, and aviation materials, with the aim of easing financial constraints on advanced manufacturing and strategic emerging industries.