On the afternoon of January 18, Alibaba Group CEO Wu Yongming issued a New Year letter.
Wu Yongming stated, "Over the past year, Alibaba's development momentum has significantly strengthened: as the AI wave surges, we have seized the opportunities of the era and found our own rhythm; in the major consumption sector, we have also delivered solid results."
Wu Yongming claimed that several "major battles" this year were fought excellently - Taobao Flash Sales achieved a breakthrough counterattack, and the comprehensive "food, accommodation, transportation, travel, and shopping" consumption service system is accelerating its formation; Amap's "Street Sweeping List" allows merchants to focus on operations and consumers to shop with confidence, promoting healthier and more sustainable development for the offline service industry; the Qwen App surpassed ten million downloads within one week of its public beta, indicating that Alibaba AI is transitioning from serving various industries to becoming accessible to everyone...
He also mentioned that these achievements are not just breakthroughs for individual Alibaba businesses, but rather the chemical reactions released through the synergy of the Alibaba ecosystem. AI brings not substitution, but upgrades and more possibilities.
The full text is as follows:
Dear Alibaba family members and partners, Happy New Year!
At this moment of bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new, as I write this letter, my heart is filled with warmth and gratitude. Over the past year, Alibaba's development momentum has significantly strengthened: as the AI wave surges, we have seized the opportunities of the era and found our own rhythm; in the major consumption sector, we have also delivered solid results. No matter how the environment changes, our fundamental character has never altered; our belief in the future, our reverence for users, and our dedication to innovation have always flowed through Alibaba's veins.
Today, Alibaba has grown into a globally leading technology company. This momentum did not arrive by chance; it stems from the self-innovation and proactive changes we have pursued over the past few years, and even more so from the daily perseverance, belief, and contributions of every Alibaba colleague. All of this is inseparable from the support of our families and partners. Here, I bow deeply to you: walking alongside everyone is our greatest fortune.
At 26 years old, Alibaba is still on its entrepreneurial journey, and we are at a critical crossroads of the era: AI is reshaping the world at an unprecedented pace, and consumption methods and structures are undergoing profound changes. Faced with such a historic opportunity, we must go all out. It is exhilarating that several "major battles" this year were fought excellently - Taobao Flash Sales achieved a breakthrough counterattack, and the comprehensive "food, accommodation, transportation, travel, and shopping" consumption service system is accelerating its formation; Amap's "Street Sweeping List" allows merchants to focus on operations and consumers to shop with confidence, promoting healthier and more sustainable development for the offline service industry; the Qwen App surpassed ten million downloads within one week of its public beta, indicating that Alibaba AI is transitioning from serving various industries to becoming accessible to everyone...
These results are not just breakthroughs for individual businesses, but rather the chemical reactions released through the synergy of the Alibaba ecosystem. They allow us to clearly see that AI brings not substitution, but upgrades and more possibilities. No matter how far we go, Alibaba people always remember that pursuing the stars and the seas is to better cherish the warmth of everyday life. We hope that technology carries warmth, that algorithms understand care, and that we continuously solve societal problems to make the world a better place.
At Alibaba, time is not just a number; it is the accumulation of trust. In 2025, we refreshed our employee badges, with "One-Year Aroma, Three-Year Mellow, Five-Year Vintage, Ten-Year Fragrance" each having its own color, symbolizing the shared identity of Alibabans and serving as proof of standing together through storms. This year on Alibaba Day (May 10), we also held a special "Ten-Year Fragrance" concert for colleagues who have been with the company for a full decade, paying tribute to long-termism. True long-termism is not about one person walking far alone, but rather a group of people believing in and entrusting themselves to each other, walking together more steadily, for longer, and further.
In the new year, challenges will still exist, but the future is clearer. I look forward to being of one heart and walking together with all Alibabans, riding the wind and breaking the waves. In the new year, the support of family and friends will remain our most solid backing. Together, let us welcome a new year that is even more worthy of anticipation.
Wu Yongming Chief Executive Officer Alibaba Group