he is a member of the Communist Party – Repubblica.it

In fact, so far, Jack Ma, the artist who taught English to tourists in Hangzhou, had done everything to give the world the impression of a "fair distance" from the authorities. The government "must fall in love, but not get married," he said in 2015 before the international audience of the World Economic Forum. "The impression was that leaving this thing in ambiguity was what was best for its profile and its international ambitions," he says. Wall Street Journal Duncan Clark, author of a book on the history of Alibaba. For this reason, as well as for his fascinating personal ascension history, Ma has established himself as one of the few Chinese entrepreneurs, if not the only one, able to speak to two worlds, admired at home and abroad . .

But it was the old world. The New One is more and more clearly divided in two: the United States against China. And where Ma wanted (or was) to deploy was more and more obvious lately. After the White House denied Alipay the acquisition of Moneygram, the US remittance giant, Maestro Ma withdrew its commitment to create one million jobs in the United States. Then define the trade war as "stupid".

As for conviction and realism, it is difficult to say. In paranoid China and the dietrologist of the time, his release from Alibaba, announced for next September, has raised more of an issue. Is the part of the party somehow hindered by a too heavy profile? Jack Ma really wants to retire in a life of private charity? Will he do it? Certainly, at present, the fact of being able to list such a character among "his" is a great victory, for two reasons paradoxically almost opposite. This shows that the Chinese private sector is on the side of the authorities and that even its most illustrious representative must necessarily be there. R But instead, the red lapel pin does not cost much, in terms of image and portfolio, since all members must pay 2% of the revenue to the cause. But maybe it's worth an badurance of untouchability when he leaves Alibaba.

But will he leave him for real? This is the other issue that has been circulating for a few weeks. Ma's political affiliation casts a disturbing light on the company's history, its growth and its IPO, while no connection with the party was declared. "The political affiliation of rulers does not influence the internal decision-making process," said a spokesman for Alibaba. But to be registered with the Chinese Communist Party means, by statute, to give top priority to its interests. Which, by the way, could continue to be done even after September, as it will retain its place in the discussed test council that elects the majority of Alibaba's board members.

topics:

China

Ali Baba