All taxi drivers in Sanya, Hainan Province, returned to work yesterday, ending a five-day strike after receiving promises that their demands would be met.

Jiang Zelin, secretary of the Sanya Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, met nearly 2,000 taxi drivers in a library building about 3pm, vowing to take concrete measures to protect licensed drivers' interests.

Average taxi rental fees must not be higher than 5,300 yuan (US$777) a month and companies should not shorten the contracted rental period unilaterally, Jiang said, reiterating the terms of a taxi-management policy that should have taken effect on January 1.

Some taxi companies have continued to charge drivers more than 7,000 yuan a month during the past 11 months.

Companies must return overcharged fees to drivers within two days, Jiang said.

He sincerely apologized on behalf of the local authorities for not being able to enforce the measures.

If companies continue to ignore the orders, their taxi operating rights would be annulled and their drivers would be given work in other state-owned public transport enterprises, he said.

Related authorities would launch a crackdown on unlicensed cabs and eradicate all forms of illegal taxi services across the city, Jiang pledged.

Drivers at the scene strongly applauded the remarks and soon resumed services.

"The government appeared responsible today, so we should perform our duties," said Huang Xiangfa, a striking driver.

"We have been disappointed and angry. We do hope the government can fulfill the promises this time."

Cabbies had been on strike since Monday, demanding relief from high rental fees and competition from unlicensed cabs. Acting Mayor Wang Yong made an apology on Tuesday in a meeting with representatives of taxi companies and drivers and promised to make efforts to protect their legitimate rights.

Local police said 20 drivers remained in custody for attacking other taxi drivers who did not participate in the strike and smashing a dozen cabs. Eight others had been detained but have been released.

Sanya has about 1,200 licensed cabs owned by six companies. However, the number of unlicensed cabs is twice the number of licensed taxis, drivers said.