[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Alibaba founder Jack Ma, who went abroad for the first time in a year after falling out of favor with Chinese authorities last October, visited an agricultural technology research institute in the Netherlands.
Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 27th, citing sources, that "Jack Ma personally visited several research institutes in the Netherlands to learn about agricultural-related technologies."
SCMP explained, "Jack Ma visited research institutes exhibiting technologies such as greenhouse roofs and those of BOAL Group, which specializes in aluminum extrusion," adding, "He plans to visit more research institutes and companies in Europe related to agricultural infrastructure, plant breeding, and on-site professional training."
Sources said, "Jack Ma was inspired by what he saw in Europe and believes that combining these technologies with Alibaba's cloud computing, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) could create tremendous potential for the modernization of agriculture in China." They added, "He also explored agricultural technologies in Spain last week and is mostly traveling by sea to avoid crowded places due to COVID-19."
This is Jack Ma's first overseas trip in a year since last October. After publicly criticizing Chinese authorities at an event in Shanghai last October, he suddenly disappeared, sparking rumors that he had fallen out of favor with the authorities. Subsequently, the authorities launched comprehensive regulations and crackdowns on Alibaba. Jack Ma remained out of the public eye, and there were even rumors of a travel ban.
Analysts suggest that Jack Ma's recent movements, which had even sparked disappearance rumors, are related to Alibaba's pledge to donate 100 billion yuan (approximately 18 trillion won) by 2025 in response to Chinese President Xi Jinping's "common prosperity" policy. The 100 billion yuan donation is equivalent to about half of Alibaba's net profit for six months and is one of the largest among the recent series of donations by Chinese big tech companies.
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