Car-hailing app operator Uber Technologies Inc hopes it will be allowed to expand in Chinese cities, where it believes it can create jobs and ease traffic jams, Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick said on Tuesday.

The head of the world's most valuable startup said he is "optimistic" about the company's China operations, despite inspections by the authorities and the prominent presence of local car-hailing apps.

City officials in China "are more in line with (the idea of) urban progress ... and they are more used to large positive changes happening quickly", Kalanick, 38, said in an interview with China Daily. He said that he is still learning how Uber can collaborate with Chinese government departments.