Uber Technologies Inc. is expanding its cooperation with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s online-payment affiliate, allowing Chinese users to pay for rides with Alipay while traveling outside mainland China. Uber and Alipay are working closely despite the fact that Alibaba holds a stake in rival Chinese ride-hailing service Didi Kuaidi Joint Co.as well as Uber’s biggest U.S. rival, Lyft Inc. In China, Uber users can already pay for their rides using Alipay, China’s most popular online payment service operated by Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial Services Group. The new partnership, announced Monday, extends their cooperation beyond mainland China. Uber said in a statement that the cross-border payment services with Alipay will first start with Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan this month, and “will be extended to more regions around the world during the year.”
Uber China has upgraded its partnership with Alibaba's payment service, Didi Kuaidi, as it seeks to increase its coverage of the outbound Chinese tourism market. Uber China announced yesterday that its customers will able to pay fares via Didi Kuaidi with the renminbi when they are travelling outside the Chinese mainland. Initially, the service will go live in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan before the Spring Festival, as all three are considered hotspots for travel during the holiday. Furthermore, the service will expanded globally within the year.