Alibaba founder Jack Ma reappears

Alibaba Group founder and Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, largely out of public view since a regulatory clampdown started on his business empire late last year, is currently in Hong Kong and has met business associates in recent days, two sources told Reuters.

Largely out of public view since a regulatory clampdown on his empire late last year - Chinese billionaire and Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma has recently been spotted meeting with business associates in Hong Kong, two sources tell Reuters.

Ma's recent visit to the Asian financial hub was his first in a year, a source revealed.

Ma has been keeping a low profile ever since Chinese regulators pulled the plug on what was to be the record setting $37 billion IPO for his Ant Financial group, seen by many as retaliation for a speech he gave last October, in which he criticized China's financial regulators.

Ever since then, speculation has swirled about his where-abouts as the camera-friendly, outspoken entrepreneur seemingly went underground with just a limited number of public appearances in mainland China.

Source: Reuters