Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing will start operations in Sydney from Mar. 16, as the Covid-19 epidemic cripples its business in its home market, the company said in a statement.

The Beijing-based company will initially provide Didi Express and Didi Max services in Sydney, the most populous city in Australia, where it currently operates in seven cities across four states, according to the statement.

“Introducing our services to the global economic and cultural hub of Sydney is a major milestone for our young team there,” said Lyn Ma, general manager of Didi Australia.

Didi first moved into the Australian market in May 2018. So far, it has accumulated more than two million passengers there on its app, the company said.

The launch of the Sydney operations comes as a part of Didi’s global expansion plans. The company, which was under fire for its murder-linked carpooling service in China two years ago, also has a presence in Japan, Brazil, Chile and Colombia.

Contact reporter Ding Yi (yiding@caixin.com)

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