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Comment by anon8418 | Hacker News Reader

It's laughable not because of "their strategy", but because your statement displays a lack of understanding (complete imo) about how business is done (and has always been done) in China. It is a very naive view, made especially so by your "do you really think Travis would _allow_ ..." as if Travis has ANY control in China.

MS, Android, etc. those are outliers and every story has one. The reality is, the vast majority of foreign companies looking to dominate Chinese market share have met their demise.

I would say _especially_ so for companies that are displacing local operators.

Just think how mad the US taxi industry is about Uber. Now imagine if Uber is owned/operated by Jose in Mexico City. You think our politicians wouldn't regulate the hell out of it? You expect less from the Chinese?

In regards to Didi Kuaidi. Sure they'll be regulated too, but when it comes down to the wire who do you think the government will side with?

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I agree to disagree. It's impossible to predict the future but if I was forecasting Uber's future in China, I believe they have a good chance of succeeding. That's just my opinion.

I respect that you have a different opinion but you shouldn't assume so easily.

I recently worked for a Chinese software company for over three years. I helped them IPO in China last year before the Chinese stock market collapsed. I know how hard it is to breakthrough in China because my last company had more success in North America and EMEA than APAC. Chinese regulation is hard but I'll side with Uber any day because I believe in Travis and his team, even if you don't.

> I respect that you have a different opinion but you shouldn't assume so easily.

You are assuming my opinion is easily formed, when it is based off of lots of experience in China and discussions with a wide network of people with even more experience in China.

Uber may succeed in China, but it will be at the blessing of the CCP (another HN commentator raises one possibility: if Chinese investors own a majority of the company). To think "Travis and his team" have any real control in China is - no offense - totally naive.

I never said Travis and his team has any control in China. I said I believe in them and that they partnered with strong local investors like Baidu.

My statements aren't "laughable" or "totally naive." You just want to be right huh?

I think your view is naive because you think Travis and his "strategy" have any bearing on Uber's long-term success in China.

The only strategy that matters is how to curry favor with, and kowtow to, the Chinese leadership and central to that strategy, unfortunately, is not being majority foreign owned/operated (especially by Americans).

> My statements aren't "laughable" or "totally naive." You just want to be right huh?

Now you're just projecting.

Your view is in the minority, even here on HN. If you were to take this view to more China-centric online communities, you'll find even fewer supporters.

"Laughable" is mean-spirited, but "naive" is a fitting description.

I'm not projecting. You just think you're right because you're Chinese.

You know honestly I didn't have an issue with your feedback except that you overreached when you said my comments were "LOL", "naive" and "laughable." That's offensive and arrogant. But you don't stop there, you keep attacking me!

"Your view is in the minority, even here on HN. If you were to take this view to more China-centric online communities, you'll find even fewer supporters."

You don't think I have Chinese friends? You're assuming once again.

And my view is the minority according to YOU! You don't have census data of the world, just your network, so stop attacking every response I have to prove your point!

Wait five years and we'll see who's right about Uber in China. You don't need to keep attacking me every time. It's rude.

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