- Title: Profile of executive chairman of Alibaba Group Jack Ma
- Date: 8th September 2018
- Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - MAY 19, 2015) (REUTERS) ****WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF ALIBABA GROUP JACK MA WALKING INTO NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM MA TAKING HIS SEAT NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF ALIBABA GROUP JACK MA SAYING: "We express our regret at the fact that the company chose to sue us instead of seeking to work with us to jointly combat counterfeit goods." PRESIDENT OF ALIPAY INTERNATIONAL AND ANT FINANCIAL SABRINA PENG (LEFT), MA (CENTER) AND REPRESENTATIVE OF ALIBABA KOREA MEIYING HWANG (RIGHT) SITTING DURING NEWS CONFERENCE The founder of Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd called a lawsuit by a group of luxury goods firms owned by Kering SA accusing the Chinese e-commerce giant of being a conduit for counterfeiters "regrettable". Executive Chairman Jack Ma was speaking after Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and other brands owned by Kering sued Alibaba in the United States, accusing it of knowingly making it possible for counterfeiters to sell their products throughout the world.
- Embargoed: 22nd September 2018 05:13
- Keywords: Jack Ma China Alibaba Ma Yun
- Location: HANGZHOU, ZHEJIANG PROVINCE, QINGYUAN CITY, GUANGDONG PROVINCE, BEIJING, SHENZHEN, BOAO, HAINAN PROVINCE, CHINA/ NEW YORK, NEW YORK, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES/ SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA/ MANILA, PHILIPPINES/ DAVOS, SWITZERLAND
- City: HANGZHOU, ZHEJIANG PROVINCE, QINGYUAN CITY, GUANGDONG PROVINCE, BEIJING, SHENZHEN, BOAO, HAINAN PROVINCE, CHINA/ NEW YORK, NEW YORK, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES/ SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA/ MANILA, PHILIPPINES/ DAVOS, SWITZERLAND
- Country: China
- Reuters ID: LVA0068WSOAPX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s co-founder and executive chairman, Jack Ma, will retire from the e-commerce company on Monday, as the former English teacher seeks to focus on philanthropy in education, the New York Times reported.
Ma, one of China's best known corporate leaders, will remain on the company's board of directors and continue to mentor the company's management, the New York Times said on Friday.
It was not immediately clear whether the company will appoint a new chairman. Ma, who founded Alibaba in 1999, stepped down as chief executive in 2013. He currently serves as the company's international face at top political and business's events.
Alibaba did not respond to requests for comment.
Ma, who is China's third richest person with a net worth of $36.6 billion according to Forbes magazine, was quoted by the New York Times as saying that his retirement is not the end of an era, but "the beginning of an era."
Ma, who turns 54 on Monday, currently oversees a number of charitable projects in education and environmental fields. He is a cult figure in China's internet industry and has attracted a large following among entrepreneurs and in pop culture alike. At events he is often met with screaming fans.
Ma also keeps a high international profile, frequently inviting global leaders to the company's Hangzhou headquarters. Last year he met with U.S. President Donald Trump, who described him as "smart" and "open minded."
Alibaba was founded by 18 people led by Ma. China's biggest e-commerce firm, it now has more than 66,000 full-time employees, according to the company's latest annual filing.
The company had a market value of about $420 billion as of Friday's close. Ma also controls Ant Financial, which was valued at about $150 billion after a recent fundraising round. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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