Alibaba, Suning to set up e-commerce firm

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and retail giant Suning Commerce Group Co plan to invest 1 billion yuan ($148 million) to set up an e-commerce firm in Chongqing, a move that is likely to intensify their competition with JD.com Inc, China's second-largest e-commerce player.

Suning will invest 510 million yuan, gaining a 51 percent stake in the new joint venture, while Alibaba will pay 490 million yuan, owning a 49 percent stake, according to a statement issued by Suning on Tuesday evening.

The business scope of the new e-commerce firm covers services, wholesale and retail, and technological development and consulting.