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Alibaba Streamlines Leadership Amid AI and Global Push

Published: Jun. 27, 2025  5:41 a.m.  GMT+8
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Alibaba posted a 6% rise in revenue to 996.4 billion yuan ($138.9 billion) and a 77% increase in net income to 125.98 billion yuan
Alibaba posted a 6% rise in revenue to 996.4 billion yuan ($138.9 billion) and a 77% increase in net income to 125.98 billion yuan

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has significantly reshaped its influential partnership system, cutting nearly a third of its members and promoting e-commerce executive Jiang Fan to the company’s top leadership circle.

The overhaul reflects the tech giant’s sharpened focus on international expansion and artificial intelligence (AI) as it seeks to reignite growth.

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Explore the story in 30 seconds
  • Alibaba cut its partnership members from 26 to 17 and promoted Jiang Fan, emphasizing international e-commerce and AI to drive growth.
  • The company posted fiscal year 2024 revenues of 996.4 billion yuan ($138.9 billion), up 6%, with net income soaring 77% to 125.98 billion yuan.
  • Alibaba is investing heavily in AI, achieving seven straight quarters of triple-digit AI revenue growth in its Cloud Intelligence Group.
AI generated, for reference only
Who’s Who
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. recently restructured its leadership, reducing its partnership from 26 to 17 members. This move, driven by a focus on international expansion and AI, promotes Jiang Fan to the top leadership committee. The company aims to reignite growth after regulatory scrutiny, emphasizing core strengths in online retail and AI development.
Ele.me
Ele.me, a food delivery service, was formerly led by CEO Wang Lei, who is no longer part of Alibaba's partnership. The article states that Jiang Fan, a newly promoted member of Alibaba's top leadership, will now oversee Ele.me, indicating a strategic shift aligned with Alibaba's focus on consolidating its e-commerce and local services.
Fliggy
Fliggy is a travel platform that will now be overseen by Jiang Fan, as part of a significant leadership restructuring within Alibaba. This change falls under Alibaba's strategy to consolidate its e-commerce divisions, aligning with its "User First, AI-Driven" approach and focus on international expansion.
Taotian Group
Taotian Group is Alibaba's domestic-focused e-commerce unit. It experienced a 3% growth in revenue for the fiscal year ending in March, significantly less than the 29% growth seen by Alibaba's international e-commerce operations.
Freshippo
The article mentions that Freshippo, a grocery chain, has achieved its first-ever annual adjusted profit. This indicates an improvement in efficiency within Alibaba's ventures, as the company has been trimming non-core assets and focusing on its strengths.
Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group
Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group is Alibaba's international e-commerce unit, led by Jiang Fan. It has been a significant success story for the company, reporting a 29% jump in revenue for the fiscal year ending March. This growth far outpaced Alibaba's domestic e-commerce operations.
Sun Art Retail
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has divested its stake in Sun Art Retail. This move is part of Alibaba's strategy to trim non-core assets and improve efficiency across its empire, as highlighted in its latest annual report.
Intime Department Store
Alibaba has recently sold its stake in Intime Department Store. This move is part of the company's broader strategy to trim its non-core assets and improve efficiency.
AI generated, for reference only
What Happened When
2022:
Jiang Fan was named head of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.
July 2024:
Jiang Fan rejoined Alibaba's partnership.
By late 2024:
Jiang Fan was leading a consolidated e-commerce division.
March 2025:
Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group reported a 29% jump in revenue for fiscal year ended.
March 2025:
Alibaba posted a 6% rise in revenue to 996.4 billion yuan and a 77% increase in net income to 125.98 billion yuan for the fiscal year ended.
As of Q2 2025:
Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group had seen seven consecutive quarters of triple-digit growth in AI-related revenue.
Week of June 23, 2025:
Alibaba announced Jiang Fan would oversee Ele.me and travel platform Fliggy.
June 26, 2025:
Alibaba released its annual report revealing reduction in partners from 26 to 17.
AI generated, for reference only
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