Chinese billionaire Jack Ma makes first public appearance in months

Alibaba co-founder, not seen since Beijing began crackdown on his firms, says he has been studying and thinking'

The Chinese billionaire Jack Ma has made his first public appearance since Beijing began a crackdown on his business empire.

Ma, a celebrity businessman and one of the richest people in China, had not spoken publicly since regulators blocked the flotation of Ant Group, the financial payment company he controls. His absence had fuelled speculation that he may have fled China.