China is launching a state-owned ride-hailing platform initially targeting Communist party members and employees of government-owned enterprises, in a challenge to the country’s reigning market leader Didi.
State media on Wednesday reported that the app, called Strong Nation Transport and backed by the transport ministry and other government agencies, would launch soon and eventually allow users to book cars available through almost all of the country’s ride-hailing providers.
News of the government app came after SoftBank-backed Didi on Monday announced it had been given permission to sign up new users for the first time in 18 months, following a national security investigation into its data practices that devastated its business.