Alibaba’s Jack Ma cancels speech at anti-counterfeiting conference
Decision by chief of China’s biggest e-commerce firm comes days after company’s membership of Washington-based coalition was suspended
Alibaba Group Holding chief Jack Ma has cancelled a speech at an anti-counterfeiting conference in the United States after the trade group behind it suspended the e-commerce giant’s recently gained membership.
Alibaba has been dogged for years by accusations that its online shopping platforms were conduits for counterfeiters and critics say it has not done nearly enough to stop the problem.
Given the IACC’s desire for additional time to reflect upon the viability of its general membership category, Alibaba feels it best that Jack Ma postpone his appearance
At least three members of the Washington-based International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) , including board member Tiffany & Co, quit the group in protest and others threatened to leave after Alibaba was admitted as a member in April.
On Friday, the IACC suspended the new category in which Alibaba was admitted, effectively terminating its membership.
“Given the IACC’s desire for additional time to reflect upon the viability of its general membership category, Alibaba feels it best that Jack Ma postpone his appearance,” Jennifer Kuperman, head of Alibaba’s international corporate communications, said in a statement.
Alibaba Group is the owner of the South China Morning Post.
Alibaba Group president Michael Evans will speak at the conference in Orlando, Florida instead.
