Jack Ma credits Tung Chee-hwa's guidance during Alibaba's Hong Kong expansion

'In hard times, your honour shines': Jack Ma pays tribute to Tung Chee-hwa

Alibaba Group co-founder Jack Ma has reflected on his decades-long relationship with Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first chief executive, crediting him with providing guidance during the e-commerce giant's expansion in the city.

Ma's tribute appeared in the South China Morning Post's special commemorative print supplement published on Saturday. The relationship between the two men spanned both business and philanthropy, with Tung serving eight years on Alibaba's board of directors and playing an inspirational role in Ma's youth entrepreneurship foundation for local youths.

From Chief Executive to Board Member

"I knew Mr Tung for many years," Ma wrote. When Tung served as Hong Kong's chief executive, Alibaba was expanding its businesses in the city. "As we pursued our mission to 'make it easy to do business anywhere', Mr Tung offered us invaluable guidance and care," Ma stated.

After Tung stepped down as chief executive, Ma invited him to serve as one of the inaugural independent directors on Alibaba's board in 2014, a role Tung accepted. "We were privileged to work alongside him for eight years," Ma said.

The tribute underscores the close ties Tung maintained with the technology sector during and after his time leading Hong Kong's administration.

Source: South China Morning Post