Foreign guests learn how Alibaba is taking on fake goods

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba welcomed 10 foreign visitors to its Beijing offices last week to share its progress on fighting fake goods and fostering online entrepreneurs.

The visitors - from seven countries including Iran, Tanzania and Greece — were part of a larger contingent from Beijing Normal University's Law School.

Wei Zhi, an employee in Alibaba's legal affairs department, told them how the company is using big data to combat counterfeits, "as better intellectual property protection helps safeguard the interests of small businesses", according to a company statement.

Omar Mcha Hamza, a judge from Tanzania with an interest in IP disputes, applauded the efforts and said what he had learned would help solve complaints about fakes when he returns home, it added.