Chinese billionaire and the founder of Alibaba, Jack Ma has been missing from the public eyes after he criticised China’s regulators and its state-owned banks for slowing down innovation. Jack Ma has not been spotted in public for the last two months and was also missing from the finale episode of his own talent show titled Africa’s Business Heroes.
Jack ma had delivered a controversial speech in Shanghai on October 24 in which he called the Chinese banking rules and process to be similar to that of an “old people’s club”. “Today’s financial system is the legacy of the Industrial Age,” he said in his speech. “We must set up a new one for the next generation and young people. We must reform the current system.” After his controversial speech, Jack Ma’s business empire, Ant Group, has been under strict scrutiny by Beijing officials. A $37 billion public offering was also cancelled as a retaliatory measure by the Chinese administration.
His disappearance from the finale episode of his show has now raised serious concerns for his safety. Also, his image has been removed from the official website of the talent show. However, a spokesperson from the Alibaba Group has rubbished all reports and has claimed he is not missing but simply had scheduling issues. “Due to a schedule conflict, Mr Ma could no longer be part of the finale the judging panel of Africa’s Business Heroes earlier this year (2020),” he said.
