London, United Kingdom - May 13, 2003 John Wu, Alibaba.com CTO, was invited to address “China: Facing up to the Future”, a high profile conference hosted by the China Britain Business Council at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London. In his keynote address, Mr Wu presented an insider’s perspective on Alibaba and the development situation of private enterprise in China. Alibaba.com was the only China based company to present a case study at the conference, which was attended by over 250 delegates from both the private and public sectors.


John Wu, CTO, Alibaba.com


John Prescott, UK Deputy Prime Minister, gave the opening address at the conference, which brought together such key figures from British industry, as Sir John Rose, Chief Executive of Rolls Royce PLC, and Evert Henkes, Chief Executive of Shell Chemicals Ltd.


Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott Opening Address on the Outlook for UK-China Relations.


The People’s Republic of China Ambassador to the UK, Mr. Zha Peixin, delivered a keynote address on “China’s Vision for the Future” on behalf of Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi, who was not able to attend the conference.


Key issues addressed by the conference’s impressive panel of high level speakers included, among others: the opportunities and prospects for foreign companies in China, the transformation of China’s economy, and economic and regulatory reform post-WTO entry.


Lord Powell, John Wu, Sir John Rose and Evert Henkes (from the right)


John Wu delivered a presentation on Alibaba vision, the company’s values, and its latest development. He also participated in a workshop about the growth of the private sector in China.


John Wu said that Alibaba offered a unique facility for Chinese SMEs to conduct business despite the SARS threat and “find opportunity in the face of adversity”.


About China Britain Business Council (CBBC)

CBBC is the UK's leading agency helping British companies do business in China. It is a business led partnership between government and industry with a proven track record of developing British trade in China dating back to the 1950s.

CBBC is widely recognised and respected at the highest level of both Chinese and British governments. CBBC organises many useful high-level business events with trade related government ministers from both countries.