China’s regulators weigh levying record fine on Alibaba: Report

China’s antitrust regulators are considering levying a record fine on Alibaba Group Holding Ltd over suspected anticompetitive behaviour, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The fine could surpass the $975 million that Qualcomm paid in 2015 over anticompetitive practices, the report said. The regulators are also considering whether the Chinese e-commerce giant should divest some assets unrelated to its main online-retailing business.

Alibaba declined to respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Founder Jack Ma’s business empire has been put under intense scrutiny by Chinese regulators following his stinging criticism of China’s regulatory system in late October.