Alibaba founder Jack Ma touring Dutch research institutes

Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma photographed in Mallorca, where his luxury yacht is anchored, on Oct 20, 2021. - AFP

HONG KONG (Reuters): Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma has been touring Dutch research institutions to pursue his interests in agriculture technology, Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, quoting people familiar with his trip.

The Chinese billionaire has largely been out of public view since he publicly criticised China's regulatory system in a speech last year. His empire promptly came under heavy scrutiny from regulators and the US$37 billion blockbuster IPO of his fintech affiliate Ant Group was suspended.