(Yicai Global) Dec. 18 -- China’s leading takeaway platform Meituan Waimai has denied charging its paid subscribers more than non-members for deliveries, asserting such fees are based on its home location registry of all customers, whether paid subscribers or non-paying users.

Meituan charged members CNY1 (USD0.15) to CNY5 more than non-paying users, many customers claimed on social media yesterday, thus sparking a heated online debate, Beijing-based media outlet Caijing reported yesterday.

The company replied that any fee disparity is because of the HLR.

"Our product and technology staff have set up a dedicated team, which is further communicating with users to solve problems and improve products and services," the Beijing-headquartered firm riposted.

Meituan’s monthly membership costs CNY15 and quarterly membership is CNY40. The company often discounts delivery fees in ads soliciting new customers.

The company leads China’s takeout market this year with a 67.3 percent share, with Ele.me second at 26.9 percent and miscellaneous others claiming the rest, according to German market and consumer data provider Statista.

An HLR is a database that stores information on subscribers using a global system for mobile communication core network, public information shows. An HLR archives such information as phone numbers and a user’s current location.

Editor: Ben Armour, Xiao Yi