https://phys.org/news/2018-09-alibaba-jack-ma-pledges-smooth.html

But like Apple's transition to current boss Tim Cook, Alibaba's CEO and anointed successor Daniel Zhang is less magnetic than his predecessor but has proven an able steward since effectively taking the operational reins years ago, they said.

"Day-to-day operations-wise Alibaba will not be affected that much. But since he's (Ma) the face of the company, people may lose a little bit of faith," said Jackson Wong, associate director with Huarong Securities in Hong Kong.