Private online car-hire service Uber
has had its offices in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou raided by
authorities, reports say.
According to local media, the US
company is under investigation for "organising private drivers to
provide unlicensed businesses".The local transport, police and industry bodies are said to have seized equipment including mobile phones.
Guangzhou considers car-hire services that involve private drivers illegal.
"Law enforcement departments have come down hard on such illegal businesses as they disrupt the market and we will not be soft on these activities in the future," the Guangzhou Transport Commission said in a recent statement.
Uber first launched in China last year and its service is now available in the capital, Beijing, as well as the cities of Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
According to reports, Uber's offices in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen were also visited by authorities this week for a "routine inspection".
In a statement, Uber said it "prides itself on providing efficient and convenient transportation options for riders to get from point to point, helping cities reduce congestion pollution.
"We have maintained open channels of communications and are working closely with local authorities in co-operation."
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