Other than that, the process is the same?

What process?

Yes it is.

Yes. We took one home from HKIA last week.

AFAIK, Uber is not a transportation company, and has never claimed to be. It just runs an app that matches up independent drivers and independent riders. It is not subject to T&LC licensing rules (and their equivalents overseas) because it does not officially employ, supervise, or insure drivers. Instead, the drivers are independent contractors with their own equipment and insurance.

This way, Uber tries to stay clear of things like taxi licenses.

from the Terms of Service on the Uber website:
“YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT UBER DOES NOT PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION OR LOGISTICS SERVICES OR FUNCTION AS A TRANSPORTATION CARRIER."

Sounds like you work for Uber. Nevertheless, it is not about what Uber claims, but how Uber acts.

Given this thread is specific for Hong Kong, if the HKSAR Government does not believe Uber is illegal, why the massive arrest and prosecution?

(Beside - in California, O’Connor et al v. Uber Technologies, Inc., No. 13-03826-EMC (N.D. Cal.), unless settled, should resolve a key issue if Uber drivers are Uber employees or not.)

Sorry, I do not work for Uber. I'm just a (satisfied) customer.

How to get an Uber from HKG as of April 2017
 

Tl;Dr: Go to 2nd floor of car park 4, head to its SE corner, and the driver will pick you up in an outdoor area (no roof).

​​​​​​After twenty minutes of frustration due to Uber's insufficient outline/directions/documentation here:

https://www.uber.com/airports/hkg/

or in the app, and a lack of any informed airport employees regarding Uber (evidently not too popular of an airport option), here's good directions, at least for one pick up option:

After selecting a car type, you will be prompted to choose a pick-up in car park 1 or car park 4 (airport hotel car park). If you choose car park 4, follow signs. If you are around the southeast corner of the car park 4 on the car park's level 2 (the level of the car park probably is not consistent with the terminal level), there should be an outdoor area, where you can see the airport hotel building. The Uber driver will pick you up there.

I guess it's more likely that the airport and its staff are disinclined to encourage what is essentially an illegal activity (much like the van drivers touting for business in the arrival hall).

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/l...out-permit-and

Just as a point of information for potential customers, a further 21 Uber drivers have been arrested.
https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/05/2...own-continues/

So the taxi licenses must be pretty lucrative for the city to protect?

About $3 million (USD$400,000 minimum) per license.

More than double that now.

http://www.scmp.com/business/global-...rst-hong-kongs

Market price is $7 million.

So those are lifetime and transferrable?

Meaning there will always be a monopoly so the operators have no incentive to improve their product.

Same old cars, can't hail by smart phone app., etc.

Yes. But I would not say it is a lifetime license, as the license is not issued in association with a life.

Not always monopoly. The majority of licenses are held by individuals.

There is nothing to improve when the Government limits changes to taxi.

License holders has no incentive to replace cars when the cars work properly. Beside, the Government's policy is to discourage the use of taxi (so hailing by app will not be impossible).