A strike continued in Chaozhou of the southern Guangdong Province on Saturday, as hundreds of cab drivers gathered in front of city government buildings demanded officials keep their promise to crack down on unlicensed cabs and reduce competition.

A Xinhua reporter said that more than 200 taxis were parked in front of the government gate. At least 300 drivers gathered, some sitting on the ground. Other cabbies slowly drove in lines down streets.

A driver surnamed Wang said another strike was held on Nov. 16 for the same purpose.

"Chaozhou is a small city and more than 800 taxis have exceeded the demand of the market, but the government is still adding new taxis," he said.

On Nov. 17, Zhang Yiqun, vice mayor of Chaozhou, pledged to crack down on unlicensed cabs and said he would not add new taxis for the next two years.

Drivers went on strike again on Thursday, demanding the government fulfill those promises.

"We didn't see any action from the government of a crackdown," said a taxi driver surnamed Li.

Protestors stopped four buses on Thursday morning. "These coaches always canvass passengers illegally which undermines our interests," Li said.

Four protestors were taken away by police.

The government distributed an open letter asking cabbies to be sensible and calm, and to express their requests in rational and lawful ways.

An official with the transportation bureau of Chaozhou, said another vice mayor, Chen Jianxin, had agreed to talk with protest representatives.

Protestors agreed to meet with Chen but only if he releases the detained protestors first.

Drivers dispersed Saturday night, but they said the strike would continue on Sunday.

Several taxi strikes have been reported this month in Chongqing, Sanya, Yongdeng and Shantou. All involved high rental fees and unlicensed taxis.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2008)