Chinese Internet giant Alibaba intends to open an office in Australia “later this year”.

James Hudson the CEO of the NSW branch of the Australia-China Business Council will join the business next month according to the Australian Financial Review.

Another addition to the Australian office is John O’Loghlen a New Zealand-born entrepreneur who joined the company this week.

Maggie Zhou is in charge of the Australia and New Zealand operations but she travels between China and Australia and is based primarily in Hangzhou.