A young lecturer from Alibaba introduces information about the group's development to business people from Australia. [Photo/wzs.org.cn]

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group gave a group of business owners from Australia a special crash course in selling to China at its headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, from March 19-22.

More than ten Australian entrepreneurs took part in the e-business course, attending lectures on Alibaba's platforms and business strategy, as well as seminars on how to enter the Chinese business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets.

The three-day trip to Hangzhou impressed the participants, with many saying they had been inspired to expand their businesses in China. The entrepreneurs' businesses ranged from cosmetics and maternity products to red wine and furniture, but all were keen to learn how to get a slice of China's huge market.

Mike Davey, founder of Spacepac company, runs a highly mechanized company where 14 workers are able to produce 688,000 products annually. Davey regarded China as one of the most dynamic markets in the world and expressed his eagerness to bring his products to the country via e-commerce platforms.

The trip also changed some people's impressions of Alibaba Group. One lady from the visiting delegation commented that she had been aware of Alibaba's influence in the e-commerce sector, but the course had opened her eyes to the breadth of the group's operations, especially the industrial chain behind its e-commerce business.

Entrepreneurs from Australia pose with a handmade flag during a course on selling to China run by the Alibaba Group in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/wzs.org.cn]