Jack Ma’s European Adventure
While most of the world’s attention was glued to his baffling disappearance from China’s business spotlight, Jack Ma has quietly been hopping over borders—this time on a Dutch chill trip straight to the tech‑savvy heart of agriculture.
From China’s “Super‑CEO” to Dutch Grown‑Tech Guru
- Jack, who quit his Alibaba board captaincy in 2019, has been turning his back on the “regulation‑hype” era
- He’s slipped through the cracks of China’s regulator eye‑test and found himself on a sunny Dutch stage, sipping smoothies while staring at seedlings.
What He’s Doing
Ma isn’t just strolling through greenhouses; he’s mapping out a new concept: Alibaba’s AI, big data, and cloud power meets European agri‑tech excellence. Imagine a Silicon Valley startup learning from Dutch wind‑powered farms—that’s the vibe he’s chasing.
Traveling With Fancy Gear
The photos that surfaced, courtesy of SCMP’s own sources, show him in three guises:
- White lab coat, holding a bunch of flowerpots (great for brainstorming “plant‑based AI”)
- Jeans + hoodie while inspecting a quirky aluminium‑extrusion setup (a strange cousin of those aluminum cans you get at the grocery store)
All this snaps a snapshot of a man who has gone from “big‑business mogul” to “green‑tech wanderer,” all while wearing a hoodie to keep things casual (and maybe to avoid the dreaded “business attire” heat‑up).
Why He’s Doing It
Jack aims to fuse Europe’s breakthrough farming tech with the powerful clouds and data analytics that Alibaba pioneered. The dream? Modernise Chinese agriculture: more yield, less waste, and a bit of high‑tech swagger.
Back in China? Big Money, Big Gains
On September 1, a series of snaps captured Ma exploring high‑tech greenhouses in Zhejiang, and the entire episode went viral. Huh, who knew a former CEO could be a green‑house hero?
The very next day, Alibaba announced a 100‑billion‑yuan investment plan, solidifying the bailout of “common prosperity” alongside President Xi‑Jinping’s wealth‑sharing vision. We’re feeling the Corporate “Humble, yet massive” vibe.
And His Next Stop: The Spanish Island of Mallorca?
True to the last trip, Ma tested his yacht life on Mallorca. This was his first overseas outing since the Mandarin crackdown, reflecting his peculiar knack for blending business, hobby and a bit of yachting flair.
While the world watches his next potholes, one thing is clear: from “tabloid‑style riches” to “research‑powered innovation,” Jack Ma is staying in the game, but in a far greener, data‑driven arena.
