The once-sidelined Alibaba founder was among the executives who met with Xi Jinping, in what was seen as a show of support for private enterprise by Beijing.

China has invited prominent entrepreneurs including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. co-founder Jack Ma to meet the nation’s top leaders, people familiar with the matter said, a potentially momentous show of support for the private sector after years of turmoil.

BEIJING: As Chinese head honchos gathered for a meeting at the Great Hall of the People stood up to applaud the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping, a man clad in a black Mao suit looked especially cheerful.