From Return to Resignation: Chen Hang's 437 Days at DingTalk
The 437-Day Return and Departure of Chen Hang at DingTalk
This article chronicles the 437-day period from March 31, 2025, to June 11, 2026, when Chen Hang (also known as "No Move") returned as CEO of DingTalk, the enterprise communication platform he originally founded, only to later step down.
Chen Hang, the creator of DingTalk in 2015, was brought back by Alibaba in 2025 after the company acquired his subsequent startup, HHO. His return was driven by Alibaba's renewed focus on AI and DingTalk's strategic role as its key to-B AI application. However, his aggressive management style, marked by strict work policies like mandatory clock-ins and extended hours, quickly caused internal friction and was criticized as being at odds with Alibaba's culture.
Despite the internal turmoil, Chen Hang drove significant product launches. In August 2025, he unveiled "AI DingTalk 1.0," featuring new products like the AI-native entry point "DingTalk ONE." By March 2026, he announced "Wukong," touted as the world's first enterprise-grade AI-native work platform, representing a fundamental rebuild of DingTalk's architecture.
The turning point came in early June 2026. A detailed internal post criticizing DingTalk's work culture went viral, followed by a public critique from a former executive. This prompted an unprecedented public rebuke from the Alibaba Partners Committee, which stated such management was not aligned with company values.
One day later, on June 11, Alibaba announced Chen Hang's departure. He was succeeded by Chen Yusen, a 32-year-old technical expert known for founding cybersecurity firm Changting Technology. While Chen Hang's tenure laid the technical foundation for DingTalk's AI transformation with "Wukong," his leadership style ultimately led to his replacement as the company seeks a new direction under younger leadership.
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