Commentary China’s Alibaba Group found itself under the spotlight following a record antitrust fine slapped on the tech giant, yet it openly expressed its gratitude to the Chinese regime. On April 10, the world’s biggest e-commerce company was fined 18.2 billion yuan ($2.8 billion) by Chinese regulators for anti-competitive tactics, as the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tightens control over fast-growing tech industries in the mainland. But Alibaba quickly responded and said in an open letter that it is “full of gratitude and respect,” as it would not have achieved its growth without sound government regulation and critical support. It’s mind-boggling as to why Alibaba would immediately release such a statement after being slapped with a huge fine. But a quick look into its past would help explain the situation. Back in 2000 when the world entered a new internet era and e-commerce became hugely popular, mainland China was losing ground …