Bank borrowings - General (Details)
¥ in Millions, $ in Millions
 2 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 24 Months Ended 51 Months Ended
May 31, 2023
May 31, 2023
Mar. 31, 2023
CNY (¥)
Mar. 31, 2022
CNY (¥)
May 31, 2023
Jun. 30, 2021
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2022
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Bank borrowings                  
Current bank borrowings     ¥ 7,466 ¥ 8,841     $ 1,087    
Non-current bank borrowings     52,023 38,244     7,575    
Bank borrowings                  
Bank borrowings                  
Non-current bank borrowings     52,023 38,244          
Collateral amount pledged     23,767 19,617          
Short-term other borrowings | Bank loans                  
Bank borrowings                  
Current bank borrowings [1]     7,466 8,841          
US$4.0 billion syndicated loan denominated in US$ | Bank loans                  
Bank borrowings                  
Non-current bank borrowings [2]     ¥ 27,393 ¥ 25,331          
Principal amount | $             $ 4,000 $ 4,000  
US$4.0 billion syndicated loan denominated in US$ | Bank loans | LIBOR                  
Bank borrowings                  
Spread over variable rate     0.85% 0.85%          
US$4.0 billion syndicated loan denominated in US$ | Bank loans | LIBOR | Subsequent event                  
Bank borrowings                  
Spread over variable rate   0.85%              
US$4.0 billion syndicated loan denominated in US$ | Bank loans | SOFR | Subsequent event                  
Bank borrowings                  
Spread over variable rate 0.80%                
Long-term other borrowings | Bank loans                  
Bank borrowings                  
Non-current bank borrowings [3]     ¥ 24,630 ¥ 12,913          
Long-term borrowings | Bank loans                  
Bank borrowings                  
Weighted average interest rate for the year     3.80% 4.10%          
Short-term borrowings | Bank loans                  
Bank borrowings                  
Weighted average interest rate for the year     2.70% 2.80%          
Short-term borrowings | Bank loans | Minimum                  
Bank borrowings                  
Interest rates     1.60% 0.60%     1.60% 0.60%  
Short-term borrowings | Bank loans | Maximum                  
Bank borrowings                  
Interest rates     12.50% 12.50%     12.50% 12.50%  
US$5.15 billion revolving credit facility agreement | Bank facility                  
Bank borrowings                  
Amount of loan facility | $                 $ 5,150
US$5.15 billion revolving credit facility agreement | Bank facility | LIBOR                  
Bank borrowings                  
Spread over variable rate           0.95%      
USD6.5 billion revolving credit facility agreement | Bank facility                  
Bank borrowings                  
Amount of loan facility | $           $ 6,500      
USD6.5 billion revolving credit facility agreement | Bank facility | LIBOR                  
Bank borrowings                  
Spread over variable rate         0.80%        
USD6.5 billion revolving credit facility agreement | Bank facility | SOFR | Scenario Forecast                  
Bank borrowings                  
Spread over variable rate 0.80%                
[1] As of March 31, 2022 and 2023, the Company had short-term borrowings from banks which were repayable within one year or on demand and charged interest rates ranging from 0.6% to 12.5% and 1.6% to 12.5% per annum, respectively. As of March 31, 2022 and 2023, the weighted average interest rate of these borrowings was 2.8% and 2.7% per annum, respectively. The borrowings are primarily denominated in RMB.
[2] As of March 31, 2022 and 2023, the Company had a US$4.0 billion syndicated loan, which was initially entered into with a group of eight lead arrangers. The loan was priced at 85 basis points over LIBOR with maturity in May 2024. Certain related floating interest payments are hedged by certain interest rate swap contracts entered into by the Company. The proceeds of the loan were used for general corporate and working capital purposes (including acquisitions). In May 2023, the loan terms were modified such that the interest rate of the loan was adjusted to 80 basis points over Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) with a credit adjustment spread and the maturity of the loan was extended to May 2028 in July 2023.
[3] As of March 31, 2022 and 2023, the Company had long-term borrowings from banks with weighted average interest rates of 4.1% and 3.8% per annum, respectively. The borrowings are primarily denominated in RMB.