Alibaba clicks with Yahoo

Yahoo's acquisition of a major stake in Chinese e-commerce business Alibaba looks like another example of a US internet firm muscling its way into a dominant position in China. That might be the end result. For now, though, it's Alibaba that has the real power in the relationship. Chris Leahy reports.

Prey becomes predator

CEO and founder of
Alibaba.com, Jack Ma,
left, is all smiles after his
deal with Yahoo CEO
Daniel Rosensweig.



THE EFFORTLESS INSOUCIANCE with which a web browser surfs the globe makes it tempting to assume that the internet as a commercial operation is as disdainful of borders. The reality is quite different, as many big US online companies are finding to their cost. No more so than in China, where all the top web destinations remain homegrown.

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