Alibaba's Jack Ma in Europe on study tour

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd founder Jack Ma is in Europe on a study tour, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Tuesday (Oct 19), making it the Chinese billionaire's first trip abroad in over a year.

Ma, who has largely been out of public view since a speech last year in which he publicly criticised China's regulatory system, is in Spain for a study tour on agriculture and technology related to environmental issues, the report said, citing a source familiar with Ma's schedule.

He was in Hong Kong spending "private time" with this family before flying to Europe, according to SCMP, which is owned by Alibaba.

Alibaba was not immediately available for a comment.

Ma, a globe-trotter not known to shy away from the limelight, retired as Alibaba's chairman in 2019.

His empire came under heavy scrutiny by Chinese regulators following the speech, that even led to the suspension of Ant Group's US$37 billion (S$49 billion) blockbuster IPO.

READ MORE: Alibaba executive vice-chairman says Jack Ma lying low