Didi Apologizes for ‘Stinky Cars’

A rundown of the news making headlines in and around China:

Smelly apology: Ride-hailing giant Didi Global Inc. has apologized for its “stinky cars” and launched a feature allowing users in China to block vehicles with funky odors. Didi explained in its apology on social media that “in winter, drivers open the windows less frequently to keep the interior of the car warm,” giving the vehicle less time to air out. But this also reflects the intense competition in China’s ride-hailing industry, where drivers make a little over 1 yuan (14 U.S. cents) per kilometer. In the fight for orders, time spent cleaning the car can be money wasted for drivers. However, Didi has added an option for users to blacklist cars that smell bad, ensuring they aren’t matched with the same vehicle for a year. The company has also launched a competition to freshen up its fleet, where drivers who provide good service can win prizes, including 10,000 yuan in cash rewards and a “fresh car” medal.