China delivers on parcel delivery services in rural areas

China has made remarkable strides in expanding its parcel delivery services to rural areas, addressing the critical "last-kilometer" challenge, according to the State Post Bureau of China.

"China has now established over 337,800 parcel delivery stations in villages, marking a significant milestone in rural logistics development," said Lin Hu, a spokesman for the bureau, during a news conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Between April and September, the bureau conducted a comprehensive nationwide survey across 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities to assess the state of rural parcel delivery. The survey evaluated the infrastructure supporting county, township, and village-level logistics.

The findings revealed notable improvements, particularly in the number of village-level delivery stations, which have seen substantial growth since the start of the year, he said.

This expanding network of delivery stations plays a vital role in lowering transportation costs for agricultural products and improving distribution efficiency in rural areas. The system has not only facilitated better access to goods but has also contributed to rural economic development.

Since 2014, China has been actively promoting parcel delivery services in rural areas. Today, this initiative has evolved into a comprehensive system that allows rural residents to enjoy access to goods and services similar to those available to urban dwellers. By the end of 2023, China had established 289,000 village-level parcel delivery logistics service stations, solidifying the backbone of its rural delivery network.

Over the past decade, this initiative has greatly expanded postal and delivery networks in rural regions, fueling rural revitalization and development. The improvements in delivery infrastructure have enabled rural communities to integrate more fully into the national economy, with rural residents benefiting from easier access to a wide range of goods.

Wang Yuehan, a researcher at the bureau's Development and Research Center, emphasized the transformative impact of these services.

"Previously, buying items in rural areas was challenging, but now nearly anything you need can be easily obtained. The express delivery industry has significantly transformed rural shopping," she said.