Ma Yun, who was rumored to disappear after criticism of the Chinese government, appeared in three months

Ma Yun, the founder of Alibaba, held a press conference in Japan in 2015. [로이터=연합뉴스]

Former Chairman Ma Yun, the founder of the Alibaba Group, China’s largest e-commerce company, appeared on the official statue in about three months. He criticized the Chinese government’s policy in October of last year and then disappeared, spreading the rumors of disappearance, imprisonment, and ban on departure.

According to local media in China on the 20th, Ma Yun appeared at an online conference this morning and gave a video speech to more than 100 teachers in rural areas of China. “I continue to learn and think with my colleagues these days, and I am more committed to education and charity,” Ma said.

Ma Yun attended the Shanghai Bund Financial Summit on October 24 last year and criticized that “the Chinese government is suppressing innovation” and that “the future cannot be managed in the same way as the past.”

On November 2 of that year, Ma Yun was called to the financial authorities along with the management to be reprimanded, and Alibaba’s financial affiliate Ant Group bowed his head, saying, “We will follow the administration’s supervisory measures.” However, a day later, on the night of the 3rd, the Chinese government completely stopped the simultaneous listing of Ant Group in Shanghai and Hong Kong, which was attracting attention as the world’s largest IPO. Alibaba’s stock price plummeted, and Marwin’s fortune has since evaporated 12 billion dollars (about 13 trillion won).

It didn’t stop there. The Alibaba Group was investigated and fined for antitrust violations. In addition, it was notified by the Chinese financial authorities to stop the high-profit online loan business and stick to the main business of electronic payment (AliPay).

In this situation, when Ma Yun disappeared, various rumors such as disappearance rumors abound. Then, on the 15th, the Chinese state media CCTV reported that the Ant Group was eventually pursuing a business reorganization, and Ma Yun appeared five days later.

On the 15th, vice president of People’s Bank Chun Yui-lu said, “Ant Group has already established a standard maintenance team under the guidance of the financial authorities and is in haste preparing a schedule for reorganization of the business.” Accordingly, it was interpreted that Ma Yun took a white flag due to various pressures from the Chinese government.

Reporter Lee Ga-young [email protected]