Zhong Guo Ji Jin Bao·2025-10-17 13:40Core Insights - Alibaba and Ant Group announced a joint investment of $925 million (approximately 6.6 billion RMB) to acquire a 13-story commercial building in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, to establish their headquarters [1][2]. Group 1: Strategic Intent - The establishment of the Hong Kong headquarters is aimed at expanding international business and signals confidence in Hong Kong's role as a global financial center and innovation hub [2]. - Alibaba's Chairman, Daniel Zhang, emphasized the importance of Hong Kong for talent, capital markets, and cultural innovation, reflecting the company's commitment to the region [2]. - Ant Group's Chairman, Eric Jing, highlighted the company's active participation in Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem and its plans to attract global talent [2][4]. Group 2: Historical Context - Alibaba has been operating in Hong Kong since its inception in 1999, with significant milestones including the launch of Taobao and Alibaba Cloud in 2005 and 2014, respectively [3]. - In 2019, Alibaba completed a secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and plans to transition to a primary listing in 2024, becoming the first Chinese tech company to be dual-listed in New York and Hong Kong [3]. - Ant Group has also established a strong presence in Hong Kong, launching AlipayHK in 2017, which now serves over 4.5 million active users [4]. Group 3: Future Plans - Alibaba Cloud has initiated the "Hong Kong Tech Future" plan to enhance cloud infrastructure and AI support for local businesses [3]. - Ant Group is exploring the implementation of cutting-edge technologies like AI and blockchain in collaboration with local partners, indicating a commitment to further investment in Hong Kong [4][5].