China’s tech founders mostly keep an iron grip over their firms
Jack Ma’s graceful exit from Alibaba is unusual
A WRY joke has been circulating on China’s internet. The founders of the country’s three most prominent technology firms—Jack Ma of Alibaba, Pony Ma of Tencent and Robin Li of Baidu—go for a stroll. One drowns. How would their stocks react? If it were Mr Ma of Alibaba, its shares would fall. If it were Mr Ma of Tencent (no relation), they would remain unchanged. And if it were Mr Li of Baidu, they would rise.
This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “Command and control”
Business September 15th 2018
- China’s tech founders mostly keep an iron grip over their firms
- AI may not be bad news for workers
- CBS faces up to its #MeToo moment
- Volvo abandons its plans for an IPO
- The FDA moves to harsh the mellow of e-cigarettes
- Tech firms disrupt the property market
- A controversial new copyright law moves a step closer to approval
- America can’t control the global flow of ideas
From the September 15th 2018 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Business
TikTok’s time is up. Can Donald Trump save it?
The imperilled app hopes for help from an old foe
The UFC, Dana White and the rise of bloodsport entertainment
There is more to the mixed-marital-arts impresario than his friendship with Donald Trump
Will Elon Musk scrap his plan to invest in a gigafactory in Mexico?
Donald Trump’s return to the White House may have changed Tesla’s plans
Germany is going nuts for Dubai chocolate
Will the hype last?
The year ahead: a message from the CEO
From the desk of Stew Pidd
One of the biggest energy IPOs in a decade could be around the corner
Venture Global, a large American gas exporter, is going public