Jack Ma: Difference between revisions

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| name = Jack Ma
| name = Jack Ma
| birth_name = Ma Yun
| birth_name = Ma Yun
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|9|10}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|9|10}}
| birth_place = Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| birth_place = [[Hangzhou]], [[Zhejiang]], China
| nationality = Chinese
| nationality = Chinese
| education = Hangzhou Normal University (BA)
| education = [[Hangzhou Normal University]] (BA)
| occupation = Businessman, philanthropist
| occupation = Businessman, philanthropist
| known_for = Co-founder of [[Alibaba Group]]
| known_for = Co-founder of [[Alibaba Group]]
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'''Jack Ma''' ({{zh|s=马云|p=Mǎ Yún}}; born '''Ma Yun''', 10 September 1964) is a Chinese businessman and philanthropist who co-founded [[Alibaba Group]], one of the world's largest e-commerce and technology conglomerates. Born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Ma overcame repeated academic setbacks and job rejections before finding his path to entrepreneurship through the early internet era of the 1990s. He initially worked as an English lecturer at Hangzhou Dianzi University before founding several internet ventures, culminating in the establishment of Alibaba in 1999 as a business-to-business marketplace connecting Chinese manufacturers with overseas buyers. Under his leadership, Alibaba expanded into consumer e-commerce, cloud computing, digital payments, and entertainment, eventually listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014 in what was then the world's largest initial public offering. Ma stepped down as executive chairman of Alibaba Group in 2019 and shifted his focus to philanthropy through the Jack Ma Foundation and educational initiatives. His public profile diminished significantly after Chinese regulators halted the anticipated IPO of his digital payments company, Ant Group, in late 2020, following his public criticism of China's financial regulatory approach.<ref>{{cite news |title=Is Jack Ma back? Inside the rise, fall and return of China's tech mogul |url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/11/20/is-jack-ma-back-the-rise-fall-and-return-of-chinas-tech-mogul.html |work=CNBC |date=2025-11-20 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> By 2025, Ma had re-emerged in the public sphere, particularly around Alibaba's push into artificial intelligence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Ma Is Back and Making Bold Bets at Alibaba |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-09-16/jack-ma-is-back-and-making-bold-bets-at-alibaba |work=Bloomberg.com |date=2025-09-16 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Jack Ma''' ({{zh|s=马云|p=Mǎ Yún}}; born '''Ma Yun''', 10 September 1964) is a Chinese businessman and philanthropist who co-founded [[Alibaba Group]], one of the world's largest e-commerce and technology conglomerates. Born in [[Hangzhou]], [[Zhejiang Province]], Ma overcame a series of early career rejections and academic setbacks before establishing himself as one of the most prominent entrepreneurs in China's technology sector. He failed the national college entrance examination, the ''gaokao'', twice before eventually earning a bachelor's degree in English from [[Hangzhou Normal University]] in 1988.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |title=Jack Ma {{!}} Biography, Alibaba, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Jack-Ma |publisher=Britannica Money |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> After working as an English teacher and exploring China's nascent internet industry in the mid-1990s, Ma co-founded Alibaba in 1999, initially as a business-to-business e-commerce marketplace that connected Chinese manufacturers with international buyers. The company grew into a sprawling multinational conglomerate encompassing consumer retail, cloud computing, digital payments, and logistics. Ma served as Alibaba's executive chairman until his retirement from the position in September 2019. He is also the founder of the [[Jack Ma Foundation]] and co-founder of [[Yunfeng Capital]].<ref name="britannica"/> His public profile diminished significantly after Chinese regulators halted the initial public offering of [[Ant Group]], his digital payments company, in late 2020, though he has re-emerged in recent years with a renewed focus on artificial intelligence initiatives at Alibaba.<ref name="bloomberg-back">{{cite news |date=2025-09-16 |title=Jack Ma Is Back and Making Bold Bets at Alibaba |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-09-16/jack-ma-is-back-and-making-bold-bets-at-alibaba |work=Bloomberg.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Ma Yun was born on 10 September 1964 in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in eastern China. He grew up during a period of significant political and economic upheaval in China, and his family was of modest means. As a young person, Ma developed an early interest in the English language, reportedly practicing his skills by offering free tours to foreign visitors at Hangzhou's West Lake area in order to engage in conversation and improve his fluency.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |title=Jack Ma {{!}} Biography, Alibaba, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Jack-Ma |publisher=Britannica Money |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Ma Yun was born on 10 September 1964 in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province in eastern China.<ref name="britannica"/> He grew up during a period of significant political and economic upheaval in China. As a young person, Ma developed an early interest in learning English, a pursuit that was unusual in China at the time. He reportedly practiced his English skills by offering free tours to foreign visitors at Hangzhou's West Lake, where he would converse with English-speaking tourists to improve his command of the language.<ref name="britannica"/> It was during one of these encounters that a foreign visitor gave him the English name "Jack."<ref name="britannica"/>


Ma's academic career was marked by repeated struggles. He failed the ''gaokao'', China's national college entrance examination, three times before finally earning a score sufficient for university admission.<ref name="britannica" /> His difficulties extended beyond academia into the job market. Ma later recounted being rejected from numerous positions in his early career, including a rejection from Kentucky Fried Chicken when the fast-food chain opened a location in Hangzhou. Of 24 applicants for the KFC job, 23 were hired — Ma was the sole reject. He also applied unsuccessfully to the police force and, by his own account, was rejected by Harvard University ten times.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Ma Was Rejected By KFC, Police, And Harvard — Now His Alibaba Fortune Surpasses The Entire Value Of The Fried Chicken Giant |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-rejected-kfc-police-030711130.html |work=Yahoo Finance |date=2025-11-25 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Ma's early academic career was marked by repeated failure. He struggled with mathematics and twice failed the ''gaokao'', China's highly competitive national college entrance examination.<ref name="britannica"/> On his third attempt, he scored high enough to gain admission to Hangzhou Normal University, though his overall score was below the threshold for the more prestigious universities in China.<ref name="britannica"/> These early academic difficulties would later become a frequent theme in Ma's public speeches, in which he referenced his rejections as formative experiences.


Despite these setbacks, Ma persisted. He eventually gained admission to Hangzhou Normal University, where he studied English. His time at the university shaped both his linguistic abilities and his worldview, exposing him to international ideas and contacts that would prove instrumental in his later business career.
Beyond academic struggles, Ma faced rejection from numerous employers in his early career. He has publicly recounted being turned down by approximately thirty jobs, including a position at [[KFC|Kentucky Fried Chicken]], where he was reportedly the only applicant out of twenty-four to be rejected.<ref name="yahoo-rejected">{{cite news |date=2025-11-25 |title=Jack Ma Was Rejected By KFC, Police, And Harvard — Now His Alibaba Fortune Surpasses The Entire Value Of The Fried Chicken Giant |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-rejected-kfc-police-030711130.html |work=Yahoo Finance |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He was also turned down by the police force and, by his own account, was rejected by [[Harvard University]] ten times.<ref name="yahoo-rejected"/> These repeated rejections became central to Ma's personal narrative as an entrepreneur who succeeded despite persistent early failure.


== Education ==
== Education ==


Ma earned a bachelor's degree in English from Hangzhou Normal University in 1988. Following graduation, he was assigned a position as an English and international trade lecturer at Hangzhou Dianzi University, a common practice under China's job allocation system at the time.<ref name="britannica" /> His university education provided him with fluency in English that distinguished him among Chinese entrepreneurs of his generation and later facilitated his role as a prominent international spokesperson for Chinese business. Ma taught at the university for several years before leaving to pursue entrepreneurial ventures full-time in the mid-1990s.
Ma earned his [[bachelor's degree]] in English from [[Hangzhou Normal University]] in 1988, after three attempts at the ''gaokao''.<ref name="britannica"/> The university, located in his hometown of Hangzhou, was not among China's top-tier academic institutions, and Ma's enrollment there was largely a consequence of his lower examination scores. Following his graduation, Ma was assigned as a lecturer in English and international trade at [[Hangzhou Dianzi University]], a position he held for several years before eventually leaving academia to pursue business ventures in the internet sector.<ref name="britannica"/>


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Ventures and the Internet (1994–1998) ===
=== Early Ventures and Internet Discovery ===


Ma's entrepreneurial journey began in 1994 when he founded his first business, Hangzhou Hope Translation Agency, a translation service catering to businesses in the Hangzhou area.<ref name="britannica" /> His introduction to the internet reportedly came during a trip to the United States in 1995, where he first encountered the World Wide Web. Recognizing the commercial potential of the internet, Ma created a website for his translation agency — one of the earliest Chinese-language websites — and soon resigned from his university teaching position to establish Hangzhou Hope Computer Services Co., Ltd.<ref name="britannica" />
Ma's first exposure to the internet came during a trip to the United States in the early 1990s, an experience that proved transformative for his career trajectory.<ref name="britannica"/> Upon encountering the [[World Wide Web]] for the first time, Ma recognized the potential of the internet for commerce and was struck by the absence of Chinese content online. This observation motivated him to begin exploring internet-based business opportunities upon his return to China.


This company operated an online yellow pages service for Chinese businesses, making it one of China's earliest internet startups. The service aimed to connect Chinese companies with international buyers by listing their information online. In 1996, Ma's company was acquired by China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom). However, the collaboration proved unsatisfactory for Ma, and he departed the company in 1997.<ref name="britannica" />
In 1994, while still working as a university lecturer, Ma founded his first business, Hangzhou Hope Translation Agency.<ref name="britannica"/> The following year, he created a website for the translation agency, gaining further experience with internet technology. Ma then resigned from his university position to establish Hangzhou Hope Computer Services Co., Ltd., which operated an online yellow pages service for Chinese companies.<ref name="britannica"/> This venture was one of China's earliest internet startups, seeking to help domestic businesses establish an online presence and connect with potential customers.


Following his exit from the China Telecom venture, Ma went on to develop websites for China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC), gaining further experience in the intersection of technology and commerce that would define his career.<ref name="britannica" />
In 1996, Ma's online yellow pages company was acquired by [[China Telecommunications Corporation]].<ref name="britannica"/> However, the collaboration proved unsatisfactory, and Ma left the company in 1997. He subsequently moved to Beijing, where he worked on developing websites for China's [[Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation]] (MOFTEC).<ref name="britannica"/> This experience exposed Ma to the challenges and opportunities of China's evolving trade landscape and further informed his understanding of how the internet could facilitate business transactions.


=== Founding of Alibaba Group (1999) ===
=== Founding of Alibaba Group ===


In 1999, Ma co-founded Alibaba Group in his Hangzhou apartment with a group of 17 friends and associates. The company was initially conceived as a business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce marketplace designed to connect small and medium-sized Chinese manufacturers and exporters with international buyers. The name "Alibaba" was chosen for its international recognizability and the association with the phrase "Open Sesame" from the folk tale, symbolizing the opening of opportunities for small businesses.<ref name="britannica" />
In 1999, Ma returned to Hangzhou and co-founded [[Alibaba Group]] with a group of seventeen friends and associates in his apartment.<ref name="britannica"/> The company was initially conceived as a [[business-to-business]] (B2B) e-commerce marketplace that would connect Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises with international buyers. Ma has spoken publicly about the early obstacles the company faced, including difficulty securing funding and skepticism from potential investors about the viability of e-commerce in China.<ref name="bloomberg-early">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-01-29 |title=Alibaba's Jack Ma on Early Obstacles, His Ambitions |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-29/alibaba-s-jack-ma-on-early-obstacles-his-ambitions |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Ma has spoken publicly about the early obstacles the company faced, including difficulty securing funding and skepticism from investors about the viability of e-commerce in China at the time.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-01-29 |title=Alibaba's Jack Ma on Early Obstacles, His Ambitions |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-29/alibaba-s-jack-ma-on-early-obstacles-his-ambitions |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Despite these challenges, Alibaba attracted early investment from Goldman Sachs and, in 2000, a significant investment from the Japanese technology firm SoftBank, led by Masayoshi Son.
Despite these challenges, Alibaba attracted early investment, including funding from [[SoftBank]] and [[Goldman Sachs]], which helped the company scale its operations. The B2B platform, Alibaba.com, grew to become a significant global trading platform, connecting millions of businesses across borders. The company subsequently expanded into consumer e-commerce with the launch of [[Taobao]], a consumer-to-consumer marketplace, and [[Tmall]], a business-to-consumer platform. These platforms became dominant forces in China's rapidly growing online retail market.


Alibaba grew rapidly through the early 2000s, expanding beyond its B2B roots. The company launched Taobao, a consumer-to-consumer marketplace, in 2003 to compete with eBay in China. Taobao offered free listings to sellers, a strategy that undercut eBay's fee-based model and ultimately drove the American company out of the Chinese market. The company subsequently launched Tmall, a business-to-consumer platform for established brands, and Alipay, a digital payment service that became central to China's fintech revolution. Alipay was later restructured and renamed Ant Financial (subsequently Ant Group).
Alibaba also moved into digital payments with the creation of [[Alipay]] (later part of [[Ant Group]]), which became one of the largest digital payment platforms in the world. The ownership and transfer of Alipay became a subject of significant corporate controversy. In 2011, the restructuring of Alipay's ownership prompted a dispute with Alibaba's shareholders, including [[Yahoo!]], which held a significant stake in Alibaba Group. The dispute was eventually resolved through a negotiated agreement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yahoo and Alibaba Resolve Alipay Dispute |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/yahoo-and-alibaba-resolve-alipay-dispute/ |work=The New York Times DealBook |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Alibaba's Growth and IPO ===
=== Alibaba's IPO and Global Expansion ===


Under Ma's leadership as chairman and chief executive officer, Alibaba Group grew into one of the world's most valuable technology companies. The company's ecosystem expanded to encompass cloud computing (Alibaba Cloud), logistics (Cainiao), digital entertainment, and local services, in addition to its core e-commerce platforms.
Alibaba Group's [[initial public offering]] on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] in September 2014 was, at the time, the largest IPO in history, raising approximately US$25 billion. The offering underscored Alibaba's transformation from a small startup in Ma's Hangzhou apartment into one of the world's most valuable technology companies. As the public face of Alibaba, Ma became one of the most recognized business figures in Asia and globally.


On 19 September 2014, Alibaba Group conducted its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BABA. The IPO raised approximately US$25 billion, making it the largest IPO in history at that time. The listing transformed Ma into one of the wealthiest individuals in China and brought international attention to both Alibaba and the broader Chinese technology sector.<ref name="britannica" />
Under Ma's leadership, Alibaba expanded well beyond its e-commerce origins into [[cloud computing]] (Alibaba Cloud), digital media, entertainment, and logistics. The company also made significant international acquisitions and investments, seeking to expand its footprint outside of China. Ma was instrumental in promoting Alibaba's global ambitions. In January 2017, he met with then-U.S. President-elect [[Donald Trump]] to discuss expansion plans, with the company aiming to create one million U.S. jobs over a five-year period by enabling American small businesses to sell to Chinese consumers through the Alibaba platform.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-01-09 |title=Alibaba to discuss expansion plans with Trump |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/09/alibaba-to-discuss-expansion-plans-with-trump-company-aims-to-create-1-million-us-jobs-over-the-next-5-years.html |work=CNBC |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Ma served as a prominent international representative of Chinese business during this period. In January 2017, he met with then-U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to discuss Alibaba's expansion plans in the United States, with the company outlining ambitions to create one million American jobs over a five-year period by enabling small U.S. businesses to sell to Chinese consumers through its platforms.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alibaba to discuss expansion plans with Trump; company aims to create 1 million US jobs over the next 5 years |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/09/alibaba-to-discuss-expansion-plans-with-trump-company-aims-to-create-1-million-us-jobs-over-the-next-5-years.html |work=CNBC |date=2017-01-09 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Ma also collaborated with other prominent business figures in Asian commerce. In 2017, he joined forces with Hong Kong tycoon [[Li Ka-shing]] to bring digital wallet services to Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-09-26 |title=Li Ka-shing, Jack Ma join forces to bring digital wallet to H.K. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-26/li-ka-shing-jack-ma-join-forces-to-bring-digital-wallet-to-h-k |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
=== The Alipay Restructuring Controversy ===
 
One of the more contentious episodes in Ma's business career involved the restructuring of Alipay. In 2011, it emerged that Ma had transferred ownership of Alipay from Alibaba Group to a company he personally controlled, citing the need to comply with Chinese regulatory requirements for payment licenses. The move generated significant controversy, particularly among Alibaba's foreign shareholders, including Yahoo and SoftBank, who had not given prior approval for the transfer. Alibaba Group issued a clarification stating that the restructuring was undertaken to ensure Alipay could obtain the necessary licenses from China's central bank.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alibaba Group Clarification in Respect of Alipay |url=http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/alibaba/100474800-1-alibaba-group-clarification-respect-alipay.html |publisher=Alibaba Group |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Yahoo and Alibaba subsequently reached an agreement to resolve the dispute in July 2011, with Alibaba Group receiving compensation from Ant Financial in the event of a future IPO or other liquidity event.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yahoo and Alibaba Resolve Alipay Dispute |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/yahoo-and-alibaba-resolve-alipay-dispute/ |work=The New York Times DealBook |date=2011-07-29 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Retirement from Alibaba ===
=== Retirement from Alibaba ===


In September 2018, Ma announced his intention to step down as executive chairman of Alibaba Group, with the transition taking effect on 10 September 2019 — his 55th birthday and the 20th anniversary of Alibaba's founding. The timing of his retirement was noted by analysts as being strategically designed to minimize disruption to the company, with Ma ceding the chairmanship to Daniel Zhang (Zhang Yong), who had served as CEO since 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Timing of Jack Ma's retirement minimizes risk for Alibaba |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Timing-of-Jack-Ma-s-retirement-minimizes-risk-for-Alibaba |work=Nikkei Asia |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Ma stated that he intended to focus on philanthropy and education following his departure from the company.
In September 2018, Ma announced his intention to step down as executive chairman of Alibaba Group, with the transition to take effect one year later, on 10 September 2019 — his 55th birthday and Alibaba's 20th anniversary. The timing of the announcement was noted by analysts as being strategically planned to minimize risk to the company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Timing of Jack Ma's retirement minimizes risk for Alibaba |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Timing-of-Jack-Ma-s-retirement-minimizes-risk-for-Alibaba |work=Nikkei Asia |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Ma was succeeded as executive chairman by [[Daniel Zhang]], who had been serving as CEO. Ma stated that he intended to focus on philanthropy and education after stepping down from his corporate role.


=== Ant Group IPO Halt and Diminished Public Profile (2020–2024) ===
=== Ant Group IPO Suspension and Diminished Public Profile ===


In October 2020, Ma delivered a speech at the Bund Summit in Shanghai in which he criticized China's financial regulators for what he characterized as an excessive focus on risk control at the expense of innovation. He compared Chinese banks to "pawnshops" and suggested that the existing regulatory framework was stifling the development of financial technology.<ref name="cnbc-rise-fall">{{cite news |title=Is Jack Ma back? Inside the rise, fall and return of China's tech mogul |url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/11/20/is-jack-ma-back-the-rise-fall-and-return-of-chinas-tech-mogul.html |work=CNBC |date=2025-11-20 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In October 2020, Ma delivered a speech at a financial summit in Shanghai in which he criticized China's financial regulators, characterizing the country's banking system as having a "pawnshop mentality" that prioritized risk control over innovation.<ref name="cnbc-rise-fall">{{cite news |date=2025-11-20 |title=Is Jack Ma back? Inside the rise, fall and return of China's tech mogul |url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/11/20/is-jack-ma-back-the-rise-fall-and-return-of-chinas-tech-mogul.html |work=CNBC |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The speech preceded what would have been a record-breaking dual listing of [[Ant Group]] — the financial technology company spun off from Alibaba — on the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges. The anticipated IPO, which was expected to raise more than US$37 billion, was abruptly halted by Chinese regulators in November 2020.<ref name="cnbc-rise-fall"/>


The speech was followed swiftly by regulatory action. In November 2020, Chinese regulators halted the highly anticipated dual IPO of Ant Group — which had been expected to raise over US$37 billion and would have been the largest public offering in history — just days before the shares were set to begin trading in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Ant Group was subsequently subjected to a comprehensive regulatory overhaul, forced to restructure its operations, and required to obtain a financial holding company license.<ref name="cnbc-rise-fall" />
Following the suspension of the Ant Group IPO, Ma largely disappeared from public view for an extended period, prompting widespread international speculation about his whereabouts and status. Chinese authorities subsequently launched a broader regulatory crackdown on the country's technology sector, imposing antitrust fines and new regulations on several major tech companies, including Alibaba, which was fined a record US$2.8 billion in April 2021.<ref name="cnbc-rise-fall"/>


Ma largely disappeared from public view following the Ant Group IPO halt. His absence from public events and social media fueled widespread speculation about his whereabouts and status. The episode was interpreted by many observers as a demonstration of the Chinese government's willingness to rein in the country's most powerful technology entrepreneurs. An investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists documented how the case involving Ma illustrated the ways in which China could leverage institutions such as Interpol for political purposes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Case involving Alibaba's Jack Ma shows how China weaponizes Interpol |url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/china-targets/interpol-red-notice-police-warrant-jack-ma/ |work=International Consortium of Investigative Journalists |date=2025-04-29 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
An investigation by the [[International Consortium of Investigative Journalists]] (ICIJ) examined the case involving Ma and highlighted how China utilized [[Interpol]] mechanisms in connection with political objectives.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-04-29 |title=Case involving Alibaba's Jack Ma shows how China weaponizes Interpol |url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/china-targets/interpol-red-notice-police-warrant-jack-ma/ |work=International Consortium of Investigative Journalists |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Return to Public Life (2025) ===
=== Return to Alibaba and AI Focus ===


By 2025, Ma had begun to re-emerge in the public sphere. In September 2025, Bloomberg reported that Ma was "back and making bold bets" at Alibaba, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Ma Is Back and Making Bold Bets at Alibaba |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-09-16/jack-ma-is-back-and-making-bold-bets-at-alibaba |work=Bloomberg.com |date=2025-09-16 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Reports indicated that Ma had re-emerged at the center of Alibaba's strategic direction as the company intensified its push into AI technology.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Ma Back At Alibaba? What's Going On |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-back-alibaba-whats-183050603.html |work=Yahoo Finance |date=2025-09-18 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
After several years of reduced public visibility, Ma began re-emerging in 2023 and subsequently increased his involvement with Alibaba, particularly as the company intensified its push into [[artificial intelligence]].<ref name="bloomberg-back"/> By 2025, Ma was described as making "bold bets" at Alibaba, with a renewed focus on AI development and strategy.<ref name="bloomberg-back"/> His return was characterized by observers as a significant shift after the period of regulatory pressure that had sidelined him.<ref name="cnbc-rise-fall"/><ref>{{cite news |date=2025-09-18 |title=Jack Ma Back At Alibaba? What's Going On |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-back-alibaba-whats-183050603.html |work=Yahoo Finance |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Ma also returned to public commentary on education policy, urging changes to China's education system in light of the advances in artificial intelligence. In remarks reported by the South China Morning Post, Ma argued that Chinese educators should teach students to "ask thousands of good questions" rather than focusing on producing identical correct answers, contending that the AI era demanded a fundamentally different approach to learning.<ref>{{cite news |title='Teach our children well': Jack Ma urges changes to China's education in AI era |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3341543/teach-our-children-well-jack-ma-urges-changes-chinas-rural-education-ai-era |work=South China Morning Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Ma has also used his renewed public platform to advocate for changes in China's education system in response to the AI era. In public remarks, he urged that Chinese educators teach students to "ask thousands of good questions, rather than give the same correct answer," reflecting his belief that the education system must adapt to the changing demands of technology and innovation.<ref>{{cite news |title='Teach our children well': Jack Ma urges changes to China's education in AI era |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3341543/teach-our-children-well-jack-ma-urges-changes-chinas-rural-education-ai-era |work=South China Morning Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Ma is married to Zhang Ying, whom he met while they were both students at Hangzhou Normal University. The couple has two children — a son and a daughter.
Ma is married to Zhang Ying, whom he met while they were both students at Hangzhou Normal University. The couple have two children — a son and a daughter.<ref name="britannica"/>


Ma has been noted for his charismatic personality and unconventional behavior for a corporate executive. He has performed musical numbers and dance routines at Alibaba's annual company events, including a performance featuring Michael Jackson-inspired dance moves at Alibaba's 18th birthday celebration in September 2017 before an audience of approximately 40,000 employees.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Ma performs Michael Jackson dance moves at Alibaba annual birthday event |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/12/jack-ma-performs-michael-jackson-dance-moves-at-alibaba-annual-birthday-event.html |work=CNBC |date=2017-09-12 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He also made a surprise appearance at a music festival in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alibaba CEO Jack Ma sings at surprise music festival appearance |url=http://www.businessinsider.sg/alibaba-ceo-jack-ma-sings-surprise-music-festival-appearance-2017-10/?r=US&IR=T |publisher=Business Insider Singapore |date=2017-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Ma has been noted for his colorful personality and unconventional public appearances. At Alibaba's annual company events, he has performed dance routines, including routines inspired by [[Michael Jackson]], for audiences of tens of thousands of Alibaba employees.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-09-12 |title=Jack Ma performs Michael Jackson dance moves at Alibaba annual birthday event |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/12/jack-ma-performs-michael-jackson-dance-moves-at-alibaba-annual-birthday-event.html |work=CNBC |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Ma dance routine at annual Alibaba event |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/wtf/jack-ma-asias-richest-man-and-ceo-of-alibaba-just-performed-a-bizarre-dance-routine-for-his-40000-employees/news-story/8a1fdde4c70c58ec82942e4dd8796268 |publisher=News.com.au |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He has also made surprise appearances at music festivals, performing for audiences in a capacity that underscored his reputation as an entertainer among corporate leaders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alibaba CEO Jack Ma sings at surprise music festival appearance |url=http://www.businessinsider.sg/alibaba-ceo-jack-ma-sings-surprise-music-festival-appearance-2017-10/?r=US&IR=T |publisher=Business Insider Singapore |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Outside of business, Ma has pursued interests in wine and property. He purchased Château de Sours in France, and in a separate transaction acquired Château Perenne, a Bordeaux estate.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Ma buys Château Perenne |url=http://www.decanter.com/wine-news/jack-ma-buys-chateau-perenne-305972/#e7B629prQDzEVRz2.99 |work=Decanter |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Outside of his business interests, Ma has invested in wine, purchasing Château de Sours and [[Château Perenne]] in the [[Bordeaux]] wine region of France.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Ma buys Château Perenne |url=http://www.decanter.com/wine-news/jack-ma-buys-chateau-perenne-305972/#e7B629prQDzEVRz2.99 |publisher=Decanter |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Ma has also been involved in financial technology ventures in Asia beyond Ant Group. In 2017, he partnered with Hong Kong business magnate Li Ka-shing to bring digital wallet services to Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite news |title=Li Ka-shing, Jack Ma Join Forces to Bring Digital Wallet to H.K. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-26/li-ka-shing-jack-ma-join-forces-to-bring-digital-wallet-to-h-k |work=Bloomberg |date=2017-09-26 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Ma has received numerous accolades and distinctions throughout his career. In 2014, he was named to the ''Time 100'', ''Time'' magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Ma — The 100 Most Influential People |url=http://time.com/70866/jack-ma-2014-time-100/ |publisher=Time |date=2014 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He has also been featured in ''BusinessWeek'''s annual lists of notable business figures<ref>{{cite web |title=Business People 2008 |url=http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/01/0102_bizpeople/index_01.htm |publisher=BusinessWeek |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> and recognized by ''Forbes'' for his philanthropic contributions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Heroes of Philanthropy |url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2010/0315/philanthropy-gautschi-krishnan-nilekani-heroes-of-philanthropy_slide_7.html |publisher=Forbes |date=2010-03-15 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Ma has received significant recognition from international media and organizations over the course of his career. In 2014, he was named to the ''[[Time 100]]'', [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine's]] annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.<ref>{{cite news |date=2014 |title=Jack Ma — 2014 Time 100 |url=http://time.com/70866/jack-ma-2014-time-100/ |work=Time |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He was also recognized by ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]'' in its listing of prominent business figures.<ref>{{cite web |title=Business People |url=http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/01/0102_bizpeople/index_01.htm |publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Ma served as a member of the board of directors of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), one of the world's largest environmental organizations, in connection with the organization's work in China.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Ma — TNC Board in China |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520050441/http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/asiaandthepacific/china/explore/jack-ma-tnc-board-in-china-1.xml |publisher=The Nature Conservancy |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Ma's philanthropic activities have also been recognized. He was featured in ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine's list of notable philanthropists for his charitable contributions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Heroes of Philanthropy |url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2010/0315/philanthropy-gautschi-krishnan-nilekani-heroes-of-philanthropy_slide_7.html |publisher=Forbes |date=2010-03-15 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He served as a board member of [[The Nature Conservancy]]'s China program, reflecting his engagement with environmental conservation efforts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack Ma — TNC Board in China |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520050441/http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/asiaandthepacific/china/explore/jack-ma-tnc-board-in-china-1.xml |publisher=The Nature Conservancy |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


He is the founder of the Jack Ma Foundation, which has focused on education, entrepreneurship, and environmental initiatives. His philanthropic work has included support for rural education in China and various environmental causes. Following his retirement from Alibaba, Ma stated that education and philanthropy would be the primary focus of his post-corporate career.
Ma has been described as a leading figure and global ambassador of Chinese business, though this characterization became more complicated following the Ant Group IPO suspension and the subsequent regulatory actions against Alibaba and other Chinese technology companies.<ref name="cnbc-rise-fall"/>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Jack Ma's legacy is closely intertwined with the rise of China's digital economy. As co-founder of Alibaba Group, he played a central role in building the infrastructure for e-commerce in China, transforming how hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers and businesses conduct transactions. Alibaba's platforms — including Taobao, Tmall, and Alipay — became foundational elements of China's internet economy, while Alibaba Cloud emerged as a major player in the global cloud computing market.
Jack Ma's legacy is closely intertwined with the rise of China's internet economy and the transformation of global e-commerce. As co-founder of Alibaba Group, he played a central role in building one of the largest technology companies in the world, one that fundamentally reshaped retail commerce, digital payments, and cloud computing in China and beyond. Alibaba's growth from an apartment-based startup in 1999 to a publicly traded multinational conglomerate with a market capitalization that has at times exceeded hundreds of billions of dollars represents one of the most significant corporate growth stories of the early 21st century.


Ma's career trajectory — from an English teacher who struggled with standardized tests to the head of one of the world's most valuable companies — has made him a prominent figure in narratives about entrepreneurship in China and globally.<ref name="britannica" /> His fluency in English and comfortable rapport with international audiences made him an unusually visible Chinese business leader on the global stage, serving as a de facto ambassador for China's private sector during a period of rapid economic growth.
Ma's personal story of repeated rejection and eventual success — from failing the ''gaokao'' twice, to being turned down by KFC, to building Alibaba — became a frequently cited narrative in discussions of entrepreneurship and perseverance, particularly in China and across Asia.<ref name="yahoo-rejected"/> His public speaking appearances and candid remarks about failure and persistence made him one of the most recognizable business figures globally.


However, Ma's legacy is also shaped by the events of 2020 and their aftermath. The halting of the Ant Group IPO and Ma's subsequent retreat from public life marked a turning point not only for his personal career but for the broader relationship between China's government and its technology sector. The episode signaled to domestic and international observers that even the most prominent Chinese entrepreneurs operated within limits set by the state.<ref name="cnbc-rise-fall" />
However, the events of 2020 and their aftermath also became a defining element of Ma's legacy, illustrating the complex relationship between China's private technology sector and the state. The halting of the Ant Group IPO and the subsequent regulatory crackdown signaled a significant shift in the Chinese government's posture toward the country's most powerful technology companies and their founders.<ref name="cnbc-rise-fall"/> Ma's diminished public profile during the period from late 2020 to 2023 became a widely discussed example of the limits of private enterprise within China's political system.


Ma's re-emergence in 2025, particularly around Alibaba's AI strategy, suggests an evolving relationship with both the company he founded and the regulatory environment in which it operates.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jack Ma Back At Alibaba? What's Going On |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-back-alibaba-whats-183050603.html |work=Yahoo Finance |date=2025-09-18 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His recent public statements on education reform in the AI era indicate a continued interest in shaping China's approach to technology and human development beyond the confines of corporate leadership.<ref>{{cite news |title='Teach our children well': Jack Ma urges changes to China's education in AI era |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3341543/teach-our-children-well-jack-ma-urges-changes-chinas-rural-education-ai-era |work=South China Morning Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Ma's re-emergence in 2025, with a renewed focus on artificial intelligence at Alibaba, suggests a new chapter in his career, one that continues to draw significant attention from international business and financial media.<ref name="bloomberg-back"/>


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 05:44, 24 February 2026


Jack Ma
BornMa Yun
10 9, 1964
BirthplaceHangzhou, Zhejiang, China
NationalityChinese
OccupationBusinessman, philanthropist
Known forCo-founder of Alibaba Group
EducationHangzhou Normal University (BA)
Spouse(s)Zhang Ying
Children2
AwardsTime 100 (2014)

Jack Ma (Template:Zh; born Ma Yun, 10 September 1964) is a Chinese businessman and philanthropist who co-founded Alibaba Group, one of the world's largest e-commerce and technology conglomerates. Born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Ma overcame a series of early career rejections and academic setbacks before establishing himself as one of the most prominent entrepreneurs in China's technology sector. He failed the national college entrance examination, the gaokao, twice before eventually earning a bachelor's degree in English from Hangzhou Normal University in 1988.[1] After working as an English teacher and exploring China's nascent internet industry in the mid-1990s, Ma co-founded Alibaba in 1999, initially as a business-to-business e-commerce marketplace that connected Chinese manufacturers with international buyers. The company grew into a sprawling multinational conglomerate encompassing consumer retail, cloud computing, digital payments, and logistics. Ma served as Alibaba's executive chairman until his retirement from the position in September 2019. He is also the founder of the Jack Ma Foundation and co-founder of Yunfeng Capital.[1] His public profile diminished significantly after Chinese regulators halted the initial public offering of Ant Group, his digital payments company, in late 2020, though he has re-emerged in recent years with a renewed focus on artificial intelligence initiatives at Alibaba.[2]

Early Life

Ma Yun was born on 10 September 1964 in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province in eastern China.[1] He grew up during a period of significant political and economic upheaval in China. As a young person, Ma developed an early interest in learning English, a pursuit that was unusual in China at the time. He reportedly practiced his English skills by offering free tours to foreign visitors at Hangzhou's West Lake, where he would converse with English-speaking tourists to improve his command of the language.[1] It was during one of these encounters that a foreign visitor gave him the English name "Jack."[1]

Ma's early academic career was marked by repeated failure. He struggled with mathematics and twice failed the gaokao, China's highly competitive national college entrance examination.[1] On his third attempt, he scored high enough to gain admission to Hangzhou Normal University, though his overall score was below the threshold for the more prestigious universities in China.[1] These early academic difficulties would later become a frequent theme in Ma's public speeches, in which he referenced his rejections as formative experiences.

Beyond academic struggles, Ma faced rejection from numerous employers in his early career. He has publicly recounted being turned down by approximately thirty jobs, including a position at Kentucky Fried Chicken, where he was reportedly the only applicant out of twenty-four to be rejected.[3] He was also turned down by the police force and, by his own account, was rejected by Harvard University ten times.[3] These repeated rejections became central to Ma's personal narrative as an entrepreneur who succeeded despite persistent early failure.

Education

Ma earned his bachelor's degree in English from Hangzhou Normal University in 1988, after three attempts at the gaokao.[1] The university, located in his hometown of Hangzhou, was not among China's top-tier academic institutions, and Ma's enrollment there was largely a consequence of his lower examination scores. Following his graduation, Ma was assigned as a lecturer in English and international trade at Hangzhou Dianzi University, a position he held for several years before eventually leaving academia to pursue business ventures in the internet sector.[1]

Career

Early Ventures and Internet Discovery

Ma's first exposure to the internet came during a trip to the United States in the early 1990s, an experience that proved transformative for his career trajectory.[1] Upon encountering the World Wide Web for the first time, Ma recognized the potential of the internet for commerce and was struck by the absence of Chinese content online. This observation motivated him to begin exploring internet-based business opportunities upon his return to China.

In 1994, while still working as a university lecturer, Ma founded his first business, Hangzhou Hope Translation Agency.[1] The following year, he created a website for the translation agency, gaining further experience with internet technology. Ma then resigned from his university position to establish Hangzhou Hope Computer Services Co., Ltd., which operated an online yellow pages service for Chinese companies.[1] This venture was one of China's earliest internet startups, seeking to help domestic businesses establish an online presence and connect with potential customers.

In 1996, Ma's online yellow pages company was acquired by China Telecommunications Corporation.[1] However, the collaboration proved unsatisfactory, and Ma left the company in 1997. He subsequently moved to Beijing, where he worked on developing websites for China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC).[1] This experience exposed Ma to the challenges and opportunities of China's evolving trade landscape and further informed his understanding of how the internet could facilitate business transactions.

Founding of Alibaba Group

In 1999, Ma returned to Hangzhou and co-founded Alibaba Group with a group of seventeen friends and associates in his apartment.[1] The company was initially conceived as a business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce marketplace that would connect Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises with international buyers. Ma has spoken publicly about the early obstacles the company faced, including difficulty securing funding and skepticism from potential investors about the viability of e-commerce in China.[4]

Despite these challenges, Alibaba attracted early investment, including funding from SoftBank and Goldman Sachs, which helped the company scale its operations. The B2B platform, Alibaba.com, grew to become a significant global trading platform, connecting millions of businesses across borders. The company subsequently expanded into consumer e-commerce with the launch of Taobao, a consumer-to-consumer marketplace, and Tmall, a business-to-consumer platform. These platforms became dominant forces in China's rapidly growing online retail market.

Alibaba also moved into digital payments with the creation of Alipay (later part of Ant Group), which became one of the largest digital payment platforms in the world. The ownership and transfer of Alipay became a subject of significant corporate controversy. In 2011, the restructuring of Alipay's ownership prompted a dispute with Alibaba's shareholders, including Yahoo!, which held a significant stake in Alibaba Group. The dispute was eventually resolved through a negotiated agreement.[5]

Alibaba's IPO and Global Expansion

Alibaba Group's initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in September 2014 was, at the time, the largest IPO in history, raising approximately US$25 billion. The offering underscored Alibaba's transformation from a small startup in Ma's Hangzhou apartment into one of the world's most valuable technology companies. As the public face of Alibaba, Ma became one of the most recognized business figures in Asia and globally.

Under Ma's leadership, Alibaba expanded well beyond its e-commerce origins into cloud computing (Alibaba Cloud), digital media, entertainment, and logistics. The company also made significant international acquisitions and investments, seeking to expand its footprint outside of China. Ma was instrumental in promoting Alibaba's global ambitions. In January 2017, he met with then-U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to discuss expansion plans, with the company aiming to create one million U.S. jobs over a five-year period by enabling American small businesses to sell to Chinese consumers through the Alibaba platform.[6]

Ma also collaborated with other prominent business figures in Asian commerce. In 2017, he joined forces with Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing to bring digital wallet services to Hong Kong.[7]

Retirement from Alibaba

In September 2018, Ma announced his intention to step down as executive chairman of Alibaba Group, with the transition to take effect one year later, on 10 September 2019 — his 55th birthday and Alibaba's 20th anniversary. The timing of the announcement was noted by analysts as being strategically planned to minimize risk to the company.[8] Ma was succeeded as executive chairman by Daniel Zhang, who had been serving as CEO. Ma stated that he intended to focus on philanthropy and education after stepping down from his corporate role.

Ant Group IPO Suspension and Diminished Public Profile

In October 2020, Ma delivered a speech at a financial summit in Shanghai in which he criticized China's financial regulators, characterizing the country's banking system as having a "pawnshop mentality" that prioritized risk control over innovation.[9] The speech preceded what would have been a record-breaking dual listing of Ant Group — the financial technology company spun off from Alibaba — on the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges. The anticipated IPO, which was expected to raise more than US$37 billion, was abruptly halted by Chinese regulators in November 2020.[9]

Following the suspension of the Ant Group IPO, Ma largely disappeared from public view for an extended period, prompting widespread international speculation about his whereabouts and status. Chinese authorities subsequently launched a broader regulatory crackdown on the country's technology sector, imposing antitrust fines and new regulations on several major tech companies, including Alibaba, which was fined a record US$2.8 billion in April 2021.[9]

An investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) examined the case involving Ma and highlighted how China utilized Interpol mechanisms in connection with political objectives.[10]

Return to Alibaba and AI Focus

After several years of reduced public visibility, Ma began re-emerging in 2023 and subsequently increased his involvement with Alibaba, particularly as the company intensified its push into artificial intelligence.[2] By 2025, Ma was described as making "bold bets" at Alibaba, with a renewed focus on AI development and strategy.[2] His return was characterized by observers as a significant shift after the period of regulatory pressure that had sidelined him.[9][11]

Ma has also used his renewed public platform to advocate for changes in China's education system in response to the AI era. In public remarks, he urged that Chinese educators teach students to "ask thousands of good questions, rather than give the same correct answer," reflecting his belief that the education system must adapt to the changing demands of technology and innovation.[12]

Personal Life

Ma is married to Zhang Ying, whom he met while they were both students at Hangzhou Normal University. The couple have two children — a son and a daughter.[1]

Ma has been noted for his colorful personality and unconventional public appearances. At Alibaba's annual company events, he has performed dance routines, including routines inspired by Michael Jackson, for audiences of tens of thousands of Alibaba employees.[13][14] He has also made surprise appearances at music festivals, performing for audiences in a capacity that underscored his reputation as an entertainer among corporate leaders.[15]

Outside of his business interests, Ma has invested in wine, purchasing Château de Sours and Château Perenne in the Bordeaux wine region of France.[16]

Recognition

Ma has received significant recognition from international media and organizations over the course of his career. In 2014, he was named to the Time 100, Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.[17] He was also recognized by Bloomberg Businessweek in its listing of prominent business figures.[18]

Ma's philanthropic activities have also been recognized. He was featured in Forbes magazine's list of notable philanthropists for his charitable contributions.[19] He served as a board member of The Nature Conservancy's China program, reflecting his engagement with environmental conservation efforts.[20]

Ma has been described as a leading figure and global ambassador of Chinese business, though this characterization became more complicated following the Ant Group IPO suspension and the subsequent regulatory actions against Alibaba and other Chinese technology companies.[9]

Legacy

Jack Ma's legacy is closely intertwined with the rise of China's internet economy and the transformation of global e-commerce. As co-founder of Alibaba Group, he played a central role in building one of the largest technology companies in the world, one that fundamentally reshaped retail commerce, digital payments, and cloud computing in China and beyond. Alibaba's growth from an apartment-based startup in 1999 to a publicly traded multinational conglomerate with a market capitalization that has at times exceeded hundreds of billions of dollars represents one of the most significant corporate growth stories of the early 21st century.

Ma's personal story of repeated rejection and eventual success — from failing the gaokao twice, to being turned down by KFC, to building Alibaba — became a frequently cited narrative in discussions of entrepreneurship and perseverance, particularly in China and across Asia.[3] His public speaking appearances and candid remarks about failure and persistence made him one of the most recognizable business figures globally.

However, the events of 2020 and their aftermath also became a defining element of Ma's legacy, illustrating the complex relationship between China's private technology sector and the state. The halting of the Ant Group IPO and the subsequent regulatory crackdown signaled a significant shift in the Chinese government's posture toward the country's most powerful technology companies and their founders.[9] Ma's diminished public profile during the period from late 2020 to 2023 became a widely discussed example of the limits of private enterprise within China's political system.

Ma's re-emergence in 2025, with a renewed focus on artificial intelligence at Alibaba, suggests a new chapter in his career, one that continues to draw significant attention from international business and financial media.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 "Jack Ma | Biography, Alibaba, & Facts".Britannica Money.https://www.britannica.com/money/Jack-Ma.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Jack Ma Is Back and Making Bold Bets at Alibaba".Bloomberg.com.2025-09-16.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-09-16/jack-ma-is-back-and-making-bold-bets-at-alibaba.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Jack Ma Was Rejected By KFC, Police, And Harvard — Now His Alibaba Fortune Surpasses The Entire Value Of The Fried Chicken Giant".Yahoo Finance.2025-11-25.https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-rejected-kfc-police-030711130.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Alibaba's Jack Ma on Early Obstacles, His Ambitions".Bloomberg.2015-01-29.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-29/alibaba-s-jack-ma-on-early-obstacles-his-ambitions.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Yahoo and Alibaba Resolve Alipay Dispute".The New York Times DealBook.https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/yahoo-and-alibaba-resolve-alipay-dispute/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Alibaba to discuss expansion plans with Trump".CNBC.2017-01-09.https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/09/alibaba-to-discuss-expansion-plans-with-trump-company-aims-to-create-1-million-us-jobs-over-the-next-5-years.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Li Ka-shing, Jack Ma join forces to bring digital wallet to H.K.".Bloomberg.2017-09-26.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-26/li-ka-shing-jack-ma-join-forces-to-bring-digital-wallet-to-h-k.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Timing of Jack Ma's retirement minimizes risk for Alibaba".Nikkei Asia.https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Timing-of-Jack-Ma-s-retirement-minimizes-risk-for-Alibaba.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 "Is Jack Ma back? Inside the rise, fall and return of China's tech mogul".CNBC.2025-11-20.https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/11/20/is-jack-ma-back-the-rise-fall-and-return-of-chinas-tech-mogul.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Case involving Alibaba's Jack Ma shows how China weaponizes Interpol".International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.2025-04-29.https://www.icij.org/investigations/china-targets/interpol-red-notice-police-warrant-jack-ma/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Jack Ma Back At Alibaba? What's Going On".Yahoo Finance.2025-09-18.https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-back-alibaba-whats-183050603.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "'Teach our children well': Jack Ma urges changes to China's education in AI era".South China Morning Post.https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3341543/teach-our-children-well-jack-ma-urges-changes-chinas-rural-education-ai-era.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Jack Ma performs Michael Jackson dance moves at Alibaba annual birthday event".CNBC.2017-09-12.https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/12/jack-ma-performs-michael-jackson-dance-moves-at-alibaba-annual-birthday-event.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Jack Ma dance routine at annual Alibaba event".News.com.au.http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/wtf/jack-ma-asias-richest-man-and-ceo-of-alibaba-just-performed-a-bizarre-dance-routine-for-his-40000-employees/news-story/8a1fdde4c70c58ec82942e4dd8796268.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Alibaba CEO Jack Ma sings at surprise music festival appearance".Business Insider Singapore.http://www.businessinsider.sg/alibaba-ceo-jack-ma-sings-surprise-music-festival-appearance-2017-10/?r=US&IR=T.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Jack Ma buys Château Perenne".Decanter.http://www.decanter.com/wine-news/jack-ma-buys-chateau-perenne-305972/#e7B629prQDzEVRz2.99.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Jack Ma — 2014 Time 100".Time.2014.http://time.com/70866/jack-ma-2014-time-100/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Business People".Bloomberg Businessweek.http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/01/0102_bizpeople/index_01.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Heroes of Philanthropy".Forbes.2010-03-15.https://www.forbes.com/global/2010/0315/philanthropy-gautschi-krishnan-nilekani-heroes-of-philanthropy_slide_7.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Jack Ma — TNC Board in China".The Nature Conservancy.https://web.archive.org/web/20140520050441/http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/asiaandthepacific/china/explore/jack-ma-tnc-board-in-china-1.xml.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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