He was solely convinced that Chinese talent in software and information would match America's development in hardware. In the classic piece he says "Chinese brains are as good as Silicon Valley's brains"
Now nobody can argue with Jack Ma. Most things he predicted back then before the turn of the millenium have come to pass. Alibaba has been a huge success.
What a great example of the passion and energy a founder should have when convincing possible employees/founders to join their startup!
Here is that original sales pitch as Jack Ma sold the vision of Alibaba to his friends who became co-founders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up9-C4_8dVo]]>