Alibaba's Jack Ma and actor Jet Li open tai chi school in China

Movie star Jet Li has joined up with renowned Chinese internet entrepreneur Jack Ma to open a tai chi school in a bid to promote the traditional exercise.

Ma is founder of the world’s biggest online retailer, Alibaba, where he stepped down as chief executive last week saying he wanted to do more in education and the environment.

He is a keen devotee of tai chi, and has made references to Chinese martial arts in both business strategy and corporate culture.

Li rose to fame for his kung fu skills and has starred in such films such as the Chinese historical epic Hero and the Hollywood blockbuster The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

The school in Hangzhou will teach tai chi and martial arts under a disciple of a well-known master, said a statement from Ma’s company provided on Monday.