Alibaba chief Jack Ma has asked youths in Hong Kong to seriously consider the consequences of wanting to cut ties with China.

 "Everybody has their own choice ... I think these young people should really think clearly what they want and what they will give up," Alibaba's executive chairman said.

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"Some years later they will understand," he pointed out after the rise of localist calls in Hong Kong.

Ma was recently in Macau where he spoke before university students in the autonomous city.

The seminar was attended by students at the University of Macau.

Ma mentioned that many students from Hong Kong and the former Portuguese colony were not interested to visit the mainland because of they have preconceived notions about the locals.

"You should really pay a visit to the mainland when there is chance," he urged the students because that would be their only opportunity to get "meaningful" understanding of "the real situation [of China]."

He also emphasized that the special administrative regions of Macau and Hong Kong are reaping the benefits of the "one country, two systems" policy. 

He also reminded students that they have to do their share of preserving the unique culture that both Hong Kong and Macau boast of, especially their long history of openness to different people and ideas.

Ma aired his confidence in Macau's service sector, financial market and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

In another event, the e-commerce titan discussed his interest to enlist Ant Financial Services, Alibaba's affiliate, in Hong Kong.

The company was established in 2014 and runs Alipay, an online payment platform that also offers insurance and wealth management services in support Ma's other business interests.

Ma was also in the city to attend the inauguration of the Macau chapter of the General Association of Zhejiang Entrepreneurs, which he also chairs.

TagsJack Ma, Alibaba, Hong Kong, Macau