Didi Kuaidi raises US$3 billion as rival Uber China brings in US$1.2 billion

Chinese ride-hailing service Didi Kuaidi is set to raise about US$3 billion through its latest fundraising round, said two people familiar with the matter, just as funding at the Chinese unit of rival Uber Technologies reaches US$1.2 billion.

The inflow of cash raises the stakes between two of the world's most valuable start-ups. It also illustrates how investors are undeterred by the two companies spending heavily as they subsidise rides to gain market share, betting on China's internet-linked transport market becoming the world's biggest.

Didi Kuaidi, which has the largest market share of car-hailing apps in China, in July said it raised US$2 billion, and that the amount may rise another "few hundred million" due to what it said was tremendous interest from global investors.

A Didi Kuaidi spokeswoman declined to comment on the latest figure on Monday.

The same day, Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick said Uber China has received US$1.2 billion, including from previous investor Baidu Inc, as part of ongoing fundraising. He made the comment in an interview with Chinese news website Sina.com which was confirmed by an Uber China spokeswoman.

Kalanick is due to speak in Beijing on Tuesday at the annual corporate conference of Internet search leader Baidu.