Jack Ma travels abroad for the first time in more than a year to study agriculture
Jack Ma was recently spotted in Spain
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is in Europe in his first foreign trip since he disappeared from the public eye last year when his troubles with the government in China began.
Ma was recently spotted in Spain, in what is believed to be a study tour for agriculture and technology related to environmental issues, the South China Morning Post reported, citing a source who knew his itinerary.
This is the first foreign trip for the founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba since his scathing comments on China’s regulators got him into trouble with authorities last year, with his company facing several enquiries and setbacks in the aftermath.
Ma will reportedly hold a series of business meetings during his stay in Europe. However, the company has not confirmed any details yet, SCMP, which is owned by Alibaba, reported.
He was last spotted in Hong Kong earlier this month.
The recent sightings of the former chairman of Alibaba have helped boost investor sentiments in the company as his company’s stock surged by over 6 per cent on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Wednesday. The company’s stocks rose around 18 per cent overall in the month of October as investors look at Ma’s appearance as a sign of receding troubles for Alibaba.
Ma was lying low as Alibaba went through a turbulent year amid Beijing’s clampdown against his empire after he criticised China’s regulatory policies.
In April, a massive $2.75bn (£2.1bn) fine for monopoly violations was imposed on the company.
In November last year, a mega Initial Public Offering by Ma’s Ant Group was also suspended by Chinese authorities just days before its trading debut. Later on, the company also shelved a share buyback programme.
These actions followed after the business tycoon, last October, called for reforms in the Chinese financial system in front of a Shanghai audience. The Alibaba founder who stepped down as chairman in 2019, was spotted in only two company events after that and kept a low profile.
Alibaba has since then attempted to mend relationships with the Chinese government by backing their policies and investing in nationalistic films.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments