China's parcel delivery sector records growth, enhanced services

Staff members at the joint distribution center in Yucheng handle parcels with the help of a sorting machine. (ZHANG YU/CHINA NEWS SERVICE)

China's parcel delivery sector has maintained rapid growth in the first half of the year, with the online system gradually improving and service quality and efficiency noticeably enhancing, according to a newly released report by the State Post Bureau of China.

During the first six months of this year, the industry's rapid growth has provided essential support for the flourishing online economy, injecting vitality into economic and social development, said Wang Yuehan, a researcher with the bureau's development and research center.

More than 80 billion parcels were handled from January to June, with the express delivery revenue expected to exceed 640 billion yuan ($88.22 billion), representing a year-on-year increase of around 23 percent and 14.2 percent, respectively.

She highlighted the industry's efforts in the first half of the year to better connect domestic and international markets, advance the "going global" initiative in express delivery, and strengthen the international parcel logistics system, leading to steady growth in overseas business.

The focus during the time was on enhancing cross-border infrastructure, continually optimizing international network layouts, and elevating the capabilities of international hubs, she said.

In addition, express delivery companies have bolstered the construction of an all-cargo aircraft fleet, inaugurating multiple all-cargo flight routes.

Other initiatives include facilitating the transport of express parcels via the China-Europe freight train. Land transportation lines have been opened to Southeast Asia and maritime routes to the US West Coast are in operation.