The Open Data Center Alliance announced that China Unicom Group has joined the steering committee of the organization, and Chinese search engine Baidu.com has become a contributor member.

Steering committee members are responsible for charting the course of the Open Data Center Alliance. China Unicom Group joins BMW; Capgemini; China Life; Deutsche Bank; JPMorgan Chase; Lockheed Martin; Marriott International, Inc.; National Australia Bank; Shell Global Solutions, Inc.; Terremark; and UBS.

By joining the steering committee, China Unicom is committed to a two-year relationship, including undisclosed financial support for the organization.

The Steering Committee also announced its selection of 32 global companies as contributor members of the Open Data Center Alliance. Baidu.com joins Chunghwa Telecom, Shanda Online, and Tencent as new contributor members for the group.