(Yicai Global) May 9 -- JD.Com's closure of its Australia office was a "normal adjustment," the Beijing-based e-retail behemoth said, confirming corresponding reports of the move.

Its branch Down Under was only intended to ease local firms onto its platform, and most have now done so, and thus the office has completed its historical mission, the company explained.   

The office in Melbourne, capital of the South Australian state of Victoria, shut down this week after less than 15 months' operation. Patrick Nestel, the firm's Australia and New Zealand regional manager, has also left, Australian City Daily reported yesterday.

JD.Com announced its entry into Australia and New Zealand in February last year, with the aim of providing customers there with retail services in an exclusive partnership with Chinese tech titan Tencent Holdings. The Oceania regional headquarters was then set up in Melbourne with support from the state government.

The importance of Australia will not change, the company stressed, and its partnership with its and New Zealand's exporters remains intact. It will continue to foster strong cooperation with various regional wine, health product, infant and maternity and food and beverage brands, as well as cosmetics, per the report.

Editor: Ben Armour