Some months ago, when Joe Tsai of Alibaba addressed a seminar in Hong Kong on his firm’s financial strategy, the first hand that shot up when he invited questions belonged to a Hong Kong insurance regulator. “You say you are interested in internet insurance,” the bureaucrat said. “I want to make sure when you come to Hong Kong, you get a proper licence.” On the YouTube recording of the event, the shocked laughter of the audience is clearly discernible as Mr Tsai graciously responds: “If we do come, we will get a licence — and seek your advice.”
幾個月前,阿里巴巴(Alibaba)的蔡崇信(Joe Tsai)在香港一場研討會上就阿里巴巴的金融戰略發言。當他請大家提問時,第一個舉手的人來自香港的保險監管機構。「你說你們對網路保險感興趣,」這位官員說。「我想確保你們來香港時,獲得適當的牌照。」在YouTube上的該活動錄像中,蔡崇信彬彬有禮的回答引起觀衆們清楚可辨的震驚笑聲:「如果我們真來香港,我們將獲得牌照——並尋求您的建議。」