Alibaba invites US small businesses to enter Chinese market

NEW YORK -- Jack Ma, the founder and executive chairman of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, on Tuesday extended his invitation to American small businesses to the e-commerce site as a way to sell their products in China.

"OurUS strategy is to help small business in America to go to China and sell their products in China, in the most efficient ways," Ma, who led his company to a record stock market debut in September, said in a speech hosted by the Economic Club of New York.

Since Alibaba went public on the New York Stock Exchange in September, Ma said, he has been constantly asked about his company 's international plans andUS strategy.

The most frequently asked questions, he said, included "When are you going to compete with Amazon? When are you going to compete with eBay?"

"We are not here to compete," he said, adding that Alibaba can empowerUS small businesses with online traffic, payment system and logistic system to sell their goods easily to tap China' rising middle class.

"We show great respect for eBay and Amazon, but I think the opportunity and strategy for us is helping small businesses in America," he said. "We need more American products in China."

Ma shared similar views in his article published on the Wall Street Journal Tuesday.

"Today China's middle class is equal in size to the entireUS population and is expected to double within seven years. This is an enormous number of new consumers with plenty of disposable income. How they spend it is important for America's small businesses," wrote Ma.

He said there had been already some cross-broader successes. " They (Chinese consumers) buy seafood from Alaska, pork from Iowa, children's toys from Rhode Island and sports gear from Oregon and Maryland."

When talking about Alibaba's vision of globalization, Ma said, "In 10 years, we'll help 2 billion consumers to shop on line. You can sell anywhere, buy anywhere."

"Alibaba Group was founded in China, but created for the world, " Ma repeated several times in his speech.