Speed, scale, and connectivity are reshaping China’s logistics landscape, offering a vivid reflection of the country’s economic vitality. From cross-border air cargo to last-mile delivery in remote villages, China has built the world’s largest and most efficient express delivery network—one that now underpins consumption, production, and regional development nationwide.
A striking example is the “cherry express.” Fresh cherries flown from Chile can reach central China within 25 hours, landing at Ezhou before being distributed nationwide through an integrated rail-road-air logistics system. What once felt extraordinary is now routine. During recent Spring Festival shopping seasons, many consumers remarked that even holiday goods arrive at “China speed.”
Behind this experience lies a logistics system unmatched in scale. In 2025, China handled nearly 200 billion express parcels, a year-on-year increase of 13.6%, ranking first globally for the 12th consecutive year. Monthly parcel volumes now approach what the country once processed annually—highlighting the dramatic transformation of China’s express delivery industry over the past three decades.
This expansion has also been deeply inclusive. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), postal and express services expanded rapidly into rural and border regions. Service outlets increased by nearly 1.5 times compared with five years earlier, and all natural villages in border areas now have access to postal services. Small parcels have become powerful connectors—linking online and offline markets, production and consumption, cities and villages—serving as a real-time barometer of economic momentum.
E-Commerce, Technology & a Smarter Logistics Future
China’s dominance in express delivery is inseparable from its vast consumer market and thriving e-commerce ecosystem. Today, over 80% of China’s parcel volume originates from online shopping. In 2025, the value of physical goods sold online and delivered via express services exceeded 14 trillion yuan, unlocking massive consumption potential across regions.
Initiatives such as e-commerce expansion into western regions have further strengthened demand. In Xinjiang, for example, the rollout of free-shipping services boosted inbound parcel volumes by nearly 1 million per day, directly supporting rapid growth in online retail sales. These trends underline the structural advantages of China’s super-large market, where logistics efficiency translates directly into consumption growth.
Looking ahead, the world’s largest express delivery network is being powered by new quality productive forces. Processing over 10 billion parcels per month—around 6,000 parcels per second—requires advanced technology at every stage. Smart warehouses deploy automated handling robots, AI-powered sorting systems identify parcels with precision, and unmanned delivery vehicles are increasingly active at the last mile. Across collection, sorting, transportation, and delivery, digital and intelligent technologies are making China’s logistics network denser, smarter, and more resilient.
This evolution mirrors China’s broader infrastructure upgrade. High-speed railways, expressways, and 5G networks—each the largest of its kind globally—interweave with digital logistics platforms, forming a comprehensive mobility network that keeps goods, data, and people moving efficiently.
As technological innovation and industrial upgrading continue to deepen, China’s express delivery network is set to become even more intelligent and accessible. Steady, confident progress in logistics is not only supporting daily life—it is also shaping a more connected, dynamic, and resilient Chinese economy.
