Uber maintains presence in Macau

Following its recent setback in China, ride-hailing app Uber maintained it will continue to operate in Macau due to support from the region’s residents.

Uber initially said it would withdraw from the Chinese autonomous territory by the end of August as its drivers faced a fine of 10m patacas, or about £940,00, but Uber back-tracked and said it would continue to operate in the region.

The company said: “After much deliberation, Uber will continue to serve the riders and drivers of Macau. The unprecedented amount of support we received over the past few weeks has been overwhelming.

“We hope the government will follow the example set by progressive, pro-innovation policy makers around the region and the world in recognising the role ride-sharing can play in moving Macau forward.”

Macau’s secretary for security Won Sio Chak said the app was violating local laws as the region sets its own laws, public security, monetary system, and customs and immigration policy, independently from China, which is responsible for its foreign policy and defence.

Macau is not the app’s largest territory, as it only has about 2,000 full and part-time drivers in the region.

By continuing its operation in the region it is maintaining some presence in the country after selling the Uber China business to homegrown rival Didi Chuxing in August while retaining a 5% stake.

Uber has tried to establish an independent base in China since 2013 and was initially considered a rare success for an American technology firm in the Chinese market, but it struggled with low sales and competition from domestic companies.