In recent years, with rapid economic development and the rise of internet commerce, the importance of China's postal and courier industry has become increasingly prominent. Against this backdrop, the State Post Bureau of China, together with multiple government departments, has issued guidelines to promote the construction of national postal and courier hubs, aiming to build a more efficient, green, and secure logistics network.
The policy serves not only as a catalyst for the industry's development but also marks a strategic decision in national infrastructure construction, regional coordinated development, and the building of a modern logistics system.
I. Policy Background and Significance
China's postal and courier industry has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. The booming e-commerce sector and increasingly diverse consumer demands have led to rapid growth in courier services. According to statistics, the industry's total revenue exceeded 800 billion yuan ($112 billion) in 2023, with continued growth expected in coming years.
However, the industry faces multiple challenges, including inconsistent service quality, high logistics costs, and regional service imbalances. The guidelines jointly proposed by the State Post Bureau and eight other departments provide policy support and direction for the industry's healthy and sustainable development.
The guidelines set long-term targets to establish about 30 national postal and courier hubs by 2027, increasing to approximately 80 by 2035. The plan aims to create a rationally distributed, fully functional, smart, efficient, green, and secure national hub network that will strategically position the courier industry while promoting regional economic development.
II. Strategic Importance of National Postal and Courier Hubs
1. Promoting Economic Circulation
As critical infrastructure, these hubs will accelerate domestic economic circulation and improve logistics efficiency between regions. The development will not only facilitate goods flow but also create employment opportunities. Supporting industries like packaging, transportation, and warehousing will also benefit, forming a virtuous economic cycle.
2. Building a Unified National Market
The guidelines emphasize that these hubs will lay the foundation for a unified national market. An efficient courier network will enable rational resource allocation, promote inter-regional market connectivity, and advance nationwide economic integration while reducing logistics costs and improving transaction efficiency.
3. Leading Modern Logistics Development
With technological advancement, the logistics sector continues to innovate. The hub construction focuses not only on optimizing traditional models but also on technological empowerment. Big data, IoT, and AI will propel the industry into a new era of smart and digital operations, enhancing speed, accuracy, and personalized service experiences.
III. Hub Planning and Distribution
According to the guidelines, future hubs will be scientifically distributed based on regional functions. The plan includes:
- 15 global international postal and courier hubs
- 20 regional international postal and courier hubs
- 45 national postal and courier hubs
Regions may establish 1-3 functional zones based on their economic development, transportation conditions, and market demand. The layout considers both industry characteristics and cities' strategic positioning, prioritizing hubs in economically vibrant areas with strong market demand.
International hubs will be built at key transportation ports and free trade zones, supporting regional coordinated development and enhancing China's position in global supply chains.
IV. Key Construction Tasks
The guidelines outline five major tasks:
- High-standard hub construction: Adopt international standards to improve facility quality and service standardization.
- Priority construction in key areas: Build hubs tailored to regional industrial characteristics to support local economies.
- Enterprise participation: Encourage courier companies to lead in investment, R&D, and operations through market mechanisms.
- Technology integration: Apply information technology and automation to enhance efficiency and security.
- Specialized hub economies: Develop region-specific hub economies based on local needs and market features.
V. Implementation Safeguards
To ensure successful implementation, the guidelines propose several measures:
- Enhanced coordination among government, enterprises, and society
- Clear responsibility assignments
- Supportive policies and funding
- Standardized guidelines and specifications
- Ongoing supervision and evaluation
VI. Future Outlook
China's courier industry has grown from nothing to become one of the world's largest markets. With the hub construction, the sector will gain new momentum through improved logistics efficiency, market integration, and service quality - all contributing to high-quality economic development.
The industry will evolve beyond an economic service into a force for social transformation. Through high-standard hub construction, China's courier sector will offer better, more efficient services to global customers while enhancing the nation's digital transformation and economic upgrade.
