Jack Ma Pays Tribute to Former Hong Kong Leader Tung Chee-hwa
SCMP · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Alibaba Group co-founder Jack Ma has paid tribute to Hong Kong's first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, in reflections published by the South China Morning Post on Saturday. Ma highlighted Tung's distinguished service as an independent director on Alibaba's board spanning eight years, as well as his foundational role in inspiring the company's youth entrepreneurship initiatives in Hong Kong.
Key Points
- Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba Group, published his reflections on Tung Chee-hwa in the South China Morning Post's special commemorative supplement on September 19, 2026
- Tung Chee-hwa served as an independent director on Alibaba's board for eight years after stepping down as Hong Kong's chief executive
- Ma invited Tung to join the board in 2014 as one of the inaugural independent directors, a role Tung accepted graciously
- During his tenure, Tung demonstrated exceptional conscientiousness, profound wisdom, and unwavering support for Alibaba's innovations
- Over a decade ago, inspired by Tung's vision and call to action, Alibaba launched the Alibaba Hong Kong Young Entrepreneurs Foundation
- Ma described Tung as possessing deep devotion to the country alongside a forward-looking, global perspective
- Tung viewed the encouragement and mentorship of young people as his lifelong, unwavering duty
Why It Matters
Tung Chee-hwa's passing removes a significant figure who bridged Hong Kong's political and business worlds, and his eight-year partnership with Alibaba underscores his lasting influence on the city's entrepreneurship ecosystem through initiatives like the Hong Kong Young Entrepreneurs Foundation .
Tung Chee-hwa's passing removes a significant figure who bridged Hong Kong's political and business worlds, and his eight-year partnership with Alibaba underscores his lasting influence on the city's entrepreneurship ecosystem through initiatives like the Hong Kong Young Entrepreneurs Foundation .