Jack Ma: They Have Gone, but They Left Us an Era!

Lu Guanqiu, a famous Zhejiang Province businessman and Chairman of Wanxiang Group, passed away. Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, wrote memorial essay in his business trip and we shared the article in the first time.

On my business trip, I was shocked to learn my revered predecessor, Mr. Lu passed away. I feel deeply sorrowful. Zhejiang merchants initiated an era, and Lu and his contemporaries represent a generation of Zhejiang businessmen! Not long ago, we held memorial service for Feng Gensheng and Shen Aiqin. Sadly, now, Mr. Lu has left us. I am really sad for that.

In 1969, when most people knew nothing about market economy, Mr. Lu opened his own factory. In 1984, when most people knew nothing about foreign countries, Mr. Lu exported his products to the United States. In the late 1990s, when most people went abroad for the first time, Lu’s company had gained a foothold abroad and made the first stride in the globalization of Chinese enterprises. I was recently told that “most people believe because they see, and only a few people see because they believe.” I think this sentence suits Mr. Lu.

If there is one thing that stands out as the most striking feature about Lu, I think it is his innate entrepreneurial spirit. Many people say, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Lu was different. He said, “Put all your eggs in one basket, and then hang onto the basket as tightly as you can.” In Zhejiang, business owners are everywhere. They are a group of rich people. When value orientation had a major disagreement, Lu came out and said, “Entrepreneurs cannot have full pockets and empty heads.” His insight and strength, summed up as “even thousands of foes cannot bend my will,” showed true entrepreneurial spirit. I think the most lasting memorial will be to pass on his courage, vision and patterns, as well as carry on his entrepreneurial spirit.