Alibaba, China’s E-Commerce Giant, Will Split Into 6 Units

China’s Alibaba Group said on Tuesday that it would become a holding company with six different business groups. Alibaba described the restructuring as the “most significant” organizational overhaul in its 24-year history. It said each unit would have its own chief executive and board of directors to allow for quicker decision-making. The units will be allowed to seek outside capital with an eye toward eventual initial public offerings. Only its China e-commerce unit, Taobao Tmall Commerce Group, will remain a wholly owned Alibaba entity.

tips

holding company：控股公司

overhaul：彻底检修，全面修改（haul 拉）

borad of directors：董事会（director 导演；董事；主管）

capital：首都；资本

eventual：最后的

with an eye toward eventual initial public offerings：着眼于最终的首次公开发行(ipo)

wholly：完全地（whole 全部）