China's Didi apologises for safety lapses after murder

China ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing issued an apology today for a string of lapses that led to the rape and murder of a passenger last week, the second such killing this year.

The company has been slammed by observers, including China's transport ministry, over safety lapses after a 20-year-old female passenger was raped and murdered by her driver in the eastern city of Wenzhou on Friday, barely three months after a similar incident in May.

Founder Cheng Wei and president Jean Liu apologised for their "ignorance and pride" in an emotive and lengthy note, promising an overhaul to ensure customer safety.

"Throughout the company we start to question if we are doing the right thing; or even whether we have the right values," said the statement sent out today evening.

"There is an enormous amount of self-doubt, guilt and soul-searching."