Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) announced that Taobao (China) Software Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, has agreed to invest RMB2.81 billion in Beijing Shiji Information Technology Co. Ltd (Shiji Information) (Shenzhen Stock Exchange stock code: 002153), a China-based hotel information technology provider, in return for a 15% stake. After completion of the transaction, Alibaba Group will have one board seat on the board of directors of Shiji Information. The investment is subject to customary closing conditions. As part of the strategic investment, Alibaba Group and Shiji Information will work together to connect the systems of Taobao Travel vertical with Shiji Information's systems, with the aim to continue to strengthen Alibaba Group's service capability in the online travel market.