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But Cheng Wei is quick to point out that Didi's way of entering new markets is not what most in the West may be used to.

"Didi's global strategy may be a little different from others," he says, smiling. "Our strategy isn't always to do everything ourselves."

"But in markets where there aren't any successful local companies, then Didi will enter that market to share our experience. That's what we're doing right now."

Global market moves

Precisely and methodically, Didi is making its move into global markets.

It has already entered Japan and Taiwan. And earlier this year, it acquired 99, Brazil's leading ride-hailing app.

Just this week, the company told the BBC it was also launching in Mexico. The move will set it up to compete against its old American nemesis - Uber - right in that firm's own backyard.

But expanding internationally for Didi may not be all that easy, simply because of the suspicions Chinese companies sometimes face when they try to go overseas.