Draft rules to put ride-hailing apps on the skids, analysts say

Four megacities have drawn up draft regulations on the drivers and private vehicles used for online ride-hailing services, a move analysts have said could deal a major blow to a booming industry.

The proposed rules released by Beijing and Shanghai include requirements that both drivers and cars are registered locally, while Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong province plan to ban the use of certain vehicles.

Beijing's transport commission said the rules released on Saturday, aim to tackle the "disease" of rapid growth in population and vehicles, which affect the environment.