(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 24, 2018, Alibaba Executive Chairman Jack Ma speaks during the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) on in Davos, eastern Switzerland. - Alibaba co-founder and chief Jack Ma announced on September 7, 2018 he will leave from the Chinese e-commerce giant on Monday to devote his time to philanthropy focused on education. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
SHANGHAI: Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma announced on Monday he would step down as leader of the pioneering Chinese e-commerce giant in one year, but insisted that a planned leadership transition would not break the company's stride.