The goal of the movie is to promote tai chi, an ancient Chinese exercise regimen, a practice which all of the movie participants, including Ma, believe in. He started practicing tai chi in 1988, Alizila says. The movie appearance, while it may be a surprising move for a more traditional tech executive, is not entirely out of character for Ma, the founder and executive chairman of Alibaba. In September, Ma dressed up as pop star Michael Jackson and performed at Alibaba's 18th birthday party.

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