Striking Sanya cabbies seek detainees' release

By Li Xinran  |   2008-11-12  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

TAXI drivers in the southern Chinese city of Sanya stayed on strike yesterday.

Hundreds of cabbies gathered in front of the local government's main building, demanding intervention on issues including high monthly taxi rental fees and unlicensed cabs, and calling for the release of 21 people detained by police over violence during the strike.

The 21 people under detention reportedly attacked taxi drivers who would not participate in the strike and vandalized 15 cabs, according to a spokesman for the local police bureau.

Police believe that underworld figures may be orchestrating the violence.

The 21 detained people may face charges, police said.

Sanya Acting Mayor Wang Yong yesterday offered an apology to the striking taxi drivers, pledging to improve the city's transport industry and create a harmonious environment for licensed drivers.

Wang met with representatives of taxi companies and drivers yesterday afternoon for more than an hour, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Lots of issues exist in our transport management, and I apologize for that to the city's taxi drivers," he said.

He vowed to severely crack down on unlicensed cabs who stole business from the licensed drivers and on the law breakers who smashed cabs during the strike on Monday.

He also voiced support for the licensed drivers to set up their own association so as to provide a convenient channel to air grievances, Xinhua said.

"We must resolve the major issues put forth by the taxi drivers as soon as possible to safeguard their legitimate rights," he said.

There are about 1,050 licensed cabs in Sanya owned by six companies. However, there are double the number of unlicensed cabs, according to legal drivers.

Taxi drivers on strike are also blaming some companies who ignored a city government policy that reduced monthly rental fees for cabs by 26 percent starting from January 1.