The Chinese president’s symbolic handshake this week with exiled billionaire Jack Ma shows Beijing needs tech entrepreneurs to revive the economy.

The once-sidelined Alibaba founder was among the executives who met with Xi Jinping, in what was seen as a show of support for private enterprise by Beijing.

China president Xi Jinping and captain of industry Jack Ma met on Feb. 17 and shook hands, an event that has apparently signalled a possible shift in the country's stance towards the tech industry. Xi said at the symposium meeting that efforts should be made to promote the healthy and high-quality development of the country's private sector.

A potential encounter this week between President Xi Jinping and e-commerce icon Jack Ma, coming after a blistering run by tech shares, could be the next catalyst to extend the rally in China’s stocks.

The Chinese president rarely chairs symposiums about the private sector and the event underscores the numerous challenges facing China Inc.

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting Monday with top private business leaders including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, state media footage showed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a meeting with Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma and other prominent entrepreneurs on Monday, signaling Beijing’s endorsement for a long-marginalized private sector now considered key to reviving the world’s No.

In a move that reverberated throughout the Chinese business world, President Xi Jinping presided over a meeting with Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma and other prominent entrepreneurs on Monday, offering a strong indication of Beijing’s support for the long-marginalized private sector.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma and other prominent entrepreneurs, signalling support for the private sector. The meeting may signify the end of regulatory restrictions for Chinese tech giants.