App-based ridesharing service Uber said on Friday, its supposedly last day of operation in Macau, that out of gratitude for its local supporters it had decided to continue its service – which the government says is illegal.

The company’s Asia-based executives had said in a signed letter released through local lawmaker Au Kam San on August 22 that September 9 would be the company’s last day in business in Macau as the government had still not authorised its ride-sharing app business and that police kept slapping its drivers and partners with hefty fines.

The letter went viral on social media and even sparked a protest march by several hundred demonstrators on September 4 who urged the government to legalise Uber.

This screen-shot taken last night on a mobile phone shows Uber’s website with a map of Macau.

PLEASE READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN OUR PRINT EDITION.