Uber Technologies Inc’s is set to merge its China operation with local ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing in a USD 35 billion deal, Bloomberg (VPN needed) and the Wall Street Journal are reporting.

According to Bloomberg, “people familiar with the matter” have indicated that Uber will continue to operate its own app in China for now.

The Bloomberg article quotes from a blog post by Uber CEO Travis Kalanick that you may have seen doing the rounds on WeChat this morning:

“Uber and Didi Chuxing are investing billions of dollars in China and both companies have yet to turn a profit there. Getting to profitability is the only way to build a sustainable business that can best serve Chinese riders, drivers and cities over the long term.”

The quotes from Bloomberg match the blog post that just started to go viral on the Chinese web, so apparently it’s legit.

Unfortunately for consumers, this might end up being a bad thing. The intense competition between the car-hailing apps has meant they had to raise a hole bunch of VC funding to offer cut-rate fares. It’s likely that will stop following this decision.

The announcement comes just days after the government announced that ride hailing apps like Uber and Didi Chuxing will officially be legal in China on November 1.

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on August 1.

Images: Tech In Asia, Uber (WeChat)

As new expats start to arrive to settle and schools start to call back their teachers for the new school year’s preparation, events start warming up in the city. To help those new arriving expats, we’ve gone a bit overboard with this week’s summer edition. We’ve included free events, unique events, ongoing events, and the best of next week. If you’re a planner at heart, sign up for our Top Picks Newsletter, where we let you know the best of Beijing events significantly far into the future. You’ll never miss out on tickets!

Free Events
Beijing Women’s Network Monthly Spotlight Dinner, July 25
Ages 16+. This month the special guest speaker, Hannah Fei, will highlight how she overcame adversity. Fei was born in Beijing but abandoned after a burn injury destroyed her right hand. After seven years in an orphanage, Fei was adopted in 2000 by a family in the US. Fei is a highly successful woman in everything she does, from designing, marketing, event organizing to founding her own companies. Free (excluding dinner costs). 7.30-9 pm. Hatchery, Inside Classic Furniture Yard, 12 Nongzhanguan Nanli, Chaoyang District 朝阳区农展馆南里12号(185 1547 5841)

Faces of Modern China, July 30
Ages 14+. This is a free lecture (in Chinese) open to the public hosted by the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in the 798 Art District, with a focus on cellphone photography in the context of Modern China. Free. 9am-Noon. Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, 798 Art District 798艺术区尤伦斯当艺术中心 报告厅 (Register for Tickets Here)

Learn how to use Chinese Uber and Didi, July 30
Ages 13+. Don’t forget that in a city like Beijing, teens could use the helpful skill of hailing a taxi with one of these apps and the vocabulary taught for free at this workshop. RSVP through WeChat: mmmichellecli. 11am-Noon. Sinology Institute, 8 Shuangsi Hutong, Dongcheng District 东城区 双寺胡同8号 (admissions@sinologyinstitute.com)

Unique Events
Cirkopolis By Cirque Éloize In Beijing, July 27-30
Ages 9+. This highly symbolic performance combines the worlds of circus, dance, and theater. “Performing within an inventive stage design and accompanied by an original musical score and video projections, ten acrobats and multidisciplinary artists rebel against monotony, reinvent themselves and challenge the limits of the factory-city.” RMB 180-880. 7.30-9.30pm. Poly Theatre, Poly Plaza, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie Dongcheng District 东城区东直门南大街14号保利大厦1层 (Buy Tickets Here)

Wizard of Oz- A Children’s Interactive Play, July 30 and August 27
Ages 3-12. Children will be swept away into the magical world of Oz and find out the truth from the main character Dorothy and her special companions’ adventures. RMB 80-380. The performance on July 30 starts at 10.30am while the two performances on August 27 are at 10.30am and 2.30pm. China National Children’s Center, 43 Western Road, Ping’anli, Xicheng District 西城区平安里西大街43号 (186 1406 6431 or buy tickets here)

NCPA’s Production of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, August 3 ^– 7
Ages 5+ Le Nozze di Figaro is one of the most famous operas created by Mozart in 1786 during the summit of his composing life. The whole opera features witty and brisk tones, retaining the artistic style of its original novel, which was written by the French comedy writer Pierre Beaumarchais. The story sets its music on the sharp contrast between the folly and dissipated noble and the smart servant Figaro, molding vivid roles as vibrant and witty Figaro, elegant and implicit Countess Rosina, intelligent and cute Susanna, and so on. RMB 80-580. 7.30-9.15 pm. National Center For The Performing Arts, 2 Chang’an Jie, Xicheng District 西城区西长安街2号(6655 0000)

Ongoing Events
Grug and the Rainbow In Beijing, Until July 31***
Ages 5+. Featuring exquisite puppetry and more of the gentle storytelling that has delighted audiences around the world, this brand new show has been especially created for the next generation of our littlest theater goers (and those who just love Grug and his quest for the rainbow). RMB 200+. 2.30pm-4.30pm. Multi-function Hall of Tianqiao Art Center, Building 9 Tianqiao Nandajie Xicheng, 西城区天桥南大街9号楼 (Buy Tickets Here)

***Parents in the beijingkids Family Events WeChat group have highly recommended this event with the caveat that even infants are required to pay. Otherwise, the facilities were beautiful and clean while the play captivated even a two year old. To join our events group, send your WeChat id and an email to editor@beijing-kids.com

Storytelling in Bookworm Café, Saturdays Until August 6
Ages 5-12. This summer storytelling program runs from July 9 to August 6, and is an interactive English storytelling program that will include brunch, games, and music time. RMB 249 per session with discounts available. The Bookworm (sue@beijingbookworm.com)

Tai Chi Class, Wednesdays Until August 9
Ages 8+ For those who are not familiar with Tai Chi, it can perhaps be thought of as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. The Tai Chi course focuses on health cultivation, flow of chi (energy) and meditative exercises for the body. The Tai Chi master speaks English and has rich experience in teaching Westerners. RMB 150. China Cultural Center, Victoria Gardens D4-101, Chaoyang Park West Road 朝阳区朝阳公园西路，维多利亚花园D4 (Register Here)

Calligraphy Class, Tuesdays Until August 9
Ages 8+ The classes are conducted in English. The Four Treasures of the Study- the ink brush, ink, paper, and ink stone are all provided. You don’t have to be able to write Chinese already, just be enthusiastic and willing to hold a brush. Maximum 12 people. RMB 200. 10.30am-Noon. China Cultural Center, Victoria Gardens D4-101, Chaoyang Park West Road 朝阳区朝阳公园西路，维多利亚花园D4
(Register Here)

Art in the Streets, Until August 24
Ages 8+. Curator Magda Danysz says, “Street art is unquestionably, for who wants to see, the most important artistic movement of the early twenty-first century. For some this is not yet obvious. Time will teach them.” Open everyday except Mondays and Sundays. RMB 15. 9.30am-5.30pm. CAFA Art Museum (6477 1575)

Hi, Beijing Children’s Acrobatic Show, Until August 31
Ages 4+. This troupe uses acrobatics, aerial acts, farces, magic, and jugglers to bring alive the story of Marco Polo, who first visited Beijing in 1215, but comes back to modern Beijing to view its modern day developments. RMB 180. China’s National Children’s Center Theater, 43 Western Road, Ping’anli, Xicheng District, 西城区平安里西大街43号 (138 0106 7568)

Best of Next Week

Second International Foodie Weekend, August 13-14
Ages 6+. With foodie passports in tow, festival goers will be set upon a culinary journey: Bite-sized delicacies representing cuisines from over 20 different countries and regions will be on offer. Current vendor count is 67! RMB 30 (One Day Pass), RMB 45 (Two Day Pass). Sanlitun Soho, South side of Gongti Beilu, across from Sanlitun Taikooli, Chaoyang District 朝阳区工人体育场北路8号院 (But tickets here)

PADI DAPI Fish Dance Company Presents: “White Lullaby”, August 6^–7
Ages 6+. This children’s drama is just 40 minutes long and has been performed around the world, including  Germany and the United States. The show addresses topics such as how one might go about explaining to children why their parents spend large amounts of time at work, and sometimes even leave their home country due to work. How can children still feel their parents’ love when they don’t have a lot of time spent together? RMB 120. 10-10.45am. Holiday Classic Theater Hall 假日经典小剧场, 64 Dongan Gate Street, Wangfujing, 东安门大街64号中国儿童剧场4层 (Purchase Tickets Here)

Cinderella, August 6^–7
Ages 2-10. This performance “Cinderella” is brought by the Romanian Children Opera House and will be wonderfully depicted by real people with its director Corina Dumidisko at China Children’s Theater (CCAT), Beijing. Cinderella’s plot will remain unchanged. RMB 180-500. On August 6, there are two performances at 3pm and 7.15pm, and on August 7 the performance is at 3pm. China Children’s Theater 中国儿童剧场, 64 Donganmen Street, Dongcheng District, 东城东安门大街64号(6466 9968 or Buy Tickets Here)

Looking For Hailibu, August 6^-7
Ages 3+. Looking for Hailibu is a performance that is based on a Mongolian traditional legend about a hero called Hailibu. The story started with Hailibu saving the dragon king’s daughter. In order to express his gratitude to Hailibu, the king awarded him a dragon pearl that can help him understand what all kinds of animals are saying. Read more about the story here. RMB 100-480. 7.30pm. Jingyan Minzu Wenhuagong Theater, 49 Fuxingmennei Dajie, Xicheng District 西城复兴门内大街49号 (6466 9968 or Buy Tickets Here)

Photos: Courtesy of Cirkopolis, Hi, Beijing, and Swiss Tastes

Rude Public Taxis or Polite Ubers
Readers across our social platforms responded to our last Uber article with both shock and anger. Some vowed to never use Uber again, while others defiantly protested the conditions of public transportation, from taxis to buses to subways. Other than complaints of cleanliness, most comments revolved around the issues of price, customer service and driver attitudes. Kristiana L., 36, mom of 2, explained her reasons for picking Uber over Didi’s pool of public taxis:

“I chose Uber over Didi because when I downloaded both apps (a while ago), Uber was in English and easy for me to set up, without having to translate anything. I just stuck with it.”

Her experiences continued to validate her choice.

“I have to drop my son off at school before I go to work. When taking public taxis, there would frequently be the situation that the driver would get upset or frustrated if he had to wait while I went inside to bring my son to school.   Of course, sometimes there was no problem, but it is just not a battle you want to worry about having every day during rush hour. Uber drivers simply nod their heads and we head to the school.”

She notes that there are disadvantages to Uber, like lack of fapiao and that drivers don’t know their way around as well as city drivers. Also, functional Chinese is a must since drivers always call to coordinate pick up.

Regardless, she points out, “I am really happy with Uber. Some drivers are better than others, but overall, it is just less stressful than taxis. And having kids, you try to minimize stress in any way you can, [especially in another country].”

Uber Drivers Spooked
Prompted by the buzz, another reader came forward with her story.  Megan R., 29, from Rochester, New York was in Beijing for a visit with friends in early March.  During her stay, her host set up an Uber ride to Solana for a shopping trip.

“The drive was fine. When we arrived, he pointed to the entrance. I got out, then a gentleman in plain clothes got into the front seat.  I walked about fifteen feet toward the entrance when a couple of younger officers in uniform greeted me in English.”

They asked for her details and identification.  The also took down her host’s phone number since Megan was in town for a short time and chose to go without a phone.

“I’m not scared of the police, and since the guy spoke English, I wasn’t nervous. When the driver was brought out of the car and handcuffed, he looked at me like he wanted help. He looked scared and nervous.”

Although her experience was much less frightening than the previous account, Uber drivers are responding to the crackdown. Community members have reported strange Uber behavior, from hugs to handshakes to star treatment.

“The day after a friend reported a similar incident, my Uber driver treated me to what felt like butler service. He greeted me loudly, then when we arrived at my destination, he got out of the car, opened my door, and shook hands when I got out before he climbed back into the car with a wave. If I hadn’t heard my friend’s story, I’d have thought he’d mistaken me for Mick Jagger,” said Mike Peters, 58, Food Editor at China Daily.

A Language Lyft
With these concerns from women and families in Beijing and the recent Uber arrests, Didi Chuxing’s timing may be perfect in partnering with Lyft and introducing a new service called “Baby Project” (Baobei Jihua).

Xiaoni Chen, a representative at Didi, explained parents can expect to see the new app floating around sometime before June 30 this year, the last day of China’s Q2.

When asked about the concerns of moms shared with our team, Ms. Chen responded that Didi’s current application allows for immediate feedback on driver performance so users are able to avoid drivers who have received poor ratings, while Didi uses this feature for quality control for their private drivers.

Didi’s private driver pool receives training in customer services on site and in person. Their elite hailing services provide a water bottle in the back seat, and a cell phone charge for a few extra RMB.

Many expats who are able to speak putonghua but cannot type and read hanzi were dismayed by the removal of the talk function. Lyft’s new application will be completely in English.

The application will also use both the public and private drivers in Didi’s pool of registered drivers.

Didi’s app in other countries has live translation services between driver and rider, but whether Lyft will also have this function is currently unsure. Ms. Chen said, “Lyft’s product details will not be available until after the launch.”

The First Kid Ride App of the Future
Also in a move to cater to the parent community, Didi announced on Thursday they are to release a service to provide safe commutes for children whose parents are unable to drive them to school, according to a report from AllChinaTech, a content partner of beijingkids.

Drivers must have a clean criminal record and more than ten years of driving experience, and pass a health exam.  All drivers will take Didi-provided emergency training in first aid and child psychology.

Cars will be equipped with Britax car seats for children under the age of 12 and first-aid kits, and Didi will purchase insurance for drivers and passengers. Before you get too excited though – these services might only be available to those using the Didi Chinese app, not Lyft.

Source: AllChinaTech.com

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em? After trying unsuccessfully for more than a year to shut down or otherwise reduce the use of car-booking apps Didi Dache and Uber, two of Beijing’s largest cab companies are joining the fray by introducing their own app and on-demand car service, demonstrating they are totally missing the point as to why the other apps and the services to which they are linked are popular. 

Shouqi Yueche, named for the Beijing Shou Qi taxi company, gives "riders access to 500 cars that were previously officially licensed taxis but had struggled to find curb-side customers as more people book cabs online," reported The Financial Times. What the hell does that mean? You can’t book any old Shou Qi taxi, you have to use one of these 500? Again, that’s not the point.

The cars being used for the new service are black Nissan Sentras and Buick GL8s. Flagfall is RMB 16, plus RMB 2.8 per kilometer, and RMB 0.5 per minute of waiting time. The Shou Qi Group stated that the cars will have Wi-Fi, phone chargers, tissues, and in case of inclement weather, umbrellas.

Maybe these cars weren’t making money because they weren’t clean, or didn’t know where they were going, or didn’t pick up passengers when people attempted to hail them on the street. Is there a shortage of passengers in Beijing? Absolutely not. If taxis actually picked up passengers instead of just giving them the wave off as they search for someone who looks like they’re going to the airport, then maybe the apps wouldn’t be so popular.

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on September 21, 2015.

After successfully setting up Alipay, I planned to start using it on the Uber car-sharing app instead of my foreign credit card. However, I was told by customer service after a few failed attempts that only mainland China customers with a shenfenzheng number could link up Alipay to Uber.

That’s when I noticed a third payment option: Baidu Wallet (also known as Baifubao), launched last April by search giant Baidu. Within a few minutes, I had the service set up and was happily riding off into the distance (at a crawl ’cause it was rush hour, but still).

1. To find payment setup in the Uber app, click on the profile icon in the upper left corner of the home screen.

2. Select “Payment.”

3. Choose “Baidu Wallet.” Enter your Chinese bank card number (online payment must be enabled first through your bank).

4. On the next screen, enter your name and surname exactly as they appear in your bank account details, then your mobile number.

5. A six-digit verification code will be sent to your mobile phone. Enter it in the pop-up box.

That’s it! Baidu Wallet will appear in your payment options screen; it’ll be available to use next time you call an Uber.

Update [August 29]: We’ve heard from a couple of readers that not all domestic banks are supported with passports (such as ICBC and Agricultural Bank of China) and there’s a 20-character limit on names.

Sijia Chen is a contributing editor at beijingkids and a freelance writer specializing in parenting, education, travel, environment, and culture. Her work has appeared in The Independent, Midnight Poutine, Rover Arts, and more. Follow her on Twitter at @sijiawrites or email her at sijiachen@beijing-kids.com.

Screenshots: Sijia Chen

Check out what Uber is doing to spread its gospel of a dependable black cab system. Currently every service that Uber offers is for profit, but there’s a new edition in the bundle called People’s Uber, which is now launching for a trial period only in Beijing.

This service will allow riders to share a car with vetted drivers, through the normal process that is Uber, yet the rider will only be charged for what the rider is spending on gas, fees and other maintenance costs like cigarettes, red bull, green tea, etc. Uber hopes that this cheaper version will promote car pooling and also draw attention to their more luxury services, like riding around town in a black Audi like an OG.

Bring it on! Another new app, Bring Me, for iPhone and Android platforms is now breaking ground in the capital. I’ve never heard of this little tool, but I like the potential it has for turning us all completely hikikomori. Pretty much you tell the program to bring you something and then it just comes and comes and keeps coming with whatever fits in a backpack.

How does it work? We’re not quite sure because the website isn’t that informative, but it’s first being developed for a trial phase in Sanlitun and Andingmen. You can sign up here.

China Realtime reported that from August 6-21, Beijing will be sweeping its pollution problem under the rug, so to speak. The capital will be hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic and Cooperation forum, and wants the air to be spick and span as a who’s who of foreign dignitaries arrive. In order to do this, they will be cutting back on the use of government vehicles by 70 percent. We are not sure how many government vehicles it will take to make a significant change in the pollution patterns, but there’s always those tricky cloud busting techniques if this doesn’t play out like they hope.

This post first appeared on thebeijnger.com on August 6, 2014.

Photos: The Beijinger