Jack's [Ma Yun ] theory is that whoever controls data controls the world.

Our proposal had more than just money. We would increase their staff and keep their headquarters, their brand and their management in place. We made them a comprehensive offer they couldn't refuse. Shareholders simply receive cash, but with the staff and management, we had to show that we could share the same vision. Employees would probably resent us if money were all [we offered].

Jack's [Ma Yun ] theory is that whoever controls data controls the world.

I would say that hardware is the bone of the head, the skull. The semiconductor is the brain within the head. The software is the wisdom and data is the knowledge.

Whatever the country, whatever the culture, whatever the time, when you become a big enough organization, you start to collapse and slow down.

I'm a man, and I think every man wants to be No. 1.

I think I would have kept in contact with venture capital investors and entrepreneurs. I'm sure staying involved as something like a coach would be fun. If I handed over the reins to a successor, I wouldn't stick around [to pull strings] like a retired emperor.