Alibaba founder Jack Ma returns to China as govt tries to allay private sector fears

Alibaba founder Jack Ma has returned to China, ending a stay overseas of more than a year that industry viewed as reflecting the sober mood of its private businesses, and which sources said eventually spurred the new premier to reach out.

The return of China’s best-known entrepreneur may help to quell the concerns of its private sector after a bruising two-year regulatory crackdown.