‘Missing’ Jack Ma makes first public appearance, attends video conference for rural teachers

Jack Ma, one of the most prominent billionaire business tycoons in China and co-founder of Alibaba Group who had gone missing after he spoke against the Chinese government has resurfaced after months out of public view. 

China's most recognizable entrepreneur addressed scores of teachers on an online conference Wednesday, part of an annual event the billionaire hosts to recognize the achievements of rural educators. His appearance, first reported in a local blog, was confirmed by people familiar with the matter.

Ma's disappearance from public view over the past two months has sparked speculation about his whereabouts among many western media outlets.

Ma, once the country's poster boy and a vociferous critic of the Chinese government, had come under the glare of the authorities. Subsequently, Ant Group, an affiliate company of the Alibaba Group was barred from launching its initial public offering (IPO) barely two days before it was slated to hit the market.

Ma, who used to be an English teacher and founder of #Alibaba, also gives wishes to village teachers via a video on Wednesday, saying usually the activity is held in Sanya in southern Hainan but this year, due to #Covid19 it has to be done via video conference. pic.twitter.com/yfi7oPB5Sb

— Qingqing_Chen (@qingqingparis) January 20, 2021