Over the past decade, China’s rural delivery logistics system has evolved significantly, progressing from non-existence to a well-established framework.
“At the ten-year mark, we can confidently say that we have achieved the goal of having delivery services accessible in every township,” reported an official during the National Postal Administration’s press conference on October 17 in Beijing. Since the launch of the “Delivery to the Countryside” initiative in 2014, efforts have been continuously made to enhance the rural delivery logistics framework. These initiatives have played a vital role in facilitating the smooth circulation of the economy between urban and rural areas, reducing logistics costs in the countryside, and supporting the achievements of poverty alleviation while advancing rural revitalization.
The National Postal Administration first introduced the “Delivery to the Countryside” initiative in 2014, and it was included in the “13th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development” in 2015. By 2020, the “Delivery to Villages” project officially launched. Over the past decade, the collaborative efforts across the industry have led to a rich supply of frameworks for rural delivery logistics, resulting in mutual enhancement of both economic and social benefits.
The environment for development has continually improved, thanks to a series of policies aimed at promoting high-quality rural circulation, accelerating the penetration of delivery services in poverty-stricken areas, and fostering the integration of postal services for both passengers and goods in rural settings. Infrastructure has also seen significant upgrades, with coverage of delivery service points in townships reaching 98% by the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan. By now, the country has achieved a milestone where every county has a distribution center and every township has a service point. A total of 337,800 multifunctional village-level delivery service stations have been established, effectively addressing the “last mile” delivery challenge in rural areas.
The results of these efforts to support farmers have been increasingly fruitful. With the foundational network and facilities in rural areas consistently improving, the express delivery industry has breathed new life into modern agricultural development. Delivery services have expanded sales channels for agricultural products, supporting the growth of numerous regionally distinctive agricultural industries, and have become a critical link for agriculture, fostering high-quality development in rural sectors. In 2023, there were 143 flagship projects across the nation that handled over ten million deliveries each, including 17 exemplary county-level projects in poverty alleviation and key rural revitalization areas that exceeded two million deliveries.
Looking ahead, the National Postal Administration plans to further enhance the three-tiered delivery logistics system covering counties, townships, and villages. The focus will be on strengthening the development of county distribution centers, township service points, and village delivery service stations while improving infrastructure for rural delivery logistics. Additionally, efforts will aim to enhance the capability for door-to-door deliveries in villages, ensuring efficient communication and improved service levels in rural regions, while continuing to bolster the sales of agricultural products.
