Express deliveries reshape lives, convenience in rural areas
快递重塑生活，便民农村
(Shi Yu/China Daily)
（石瑜/中国日报）
Born and raised in Ganjiang, a rural village in Northwest China's Gansu province, Xie Ruiling first encountered online shopping around 2010, when she and her husband were employed as migrant workers in Tianjin, a bustling northern city.
谢瑞玲在中国西北部甘肃省的一个农村出生和长大，在2010年左右，她第一次接触到网上购物，当时她和丈夫在繁华的北方城市天津打工。
"In Tianjin, everyone around me was buying everything online, so I decided to give it a try. I ordered some skin care products," Xie recalled. "After I completed the payment, the products arrived at my doorstep in about four days."
“在天津，我周围的人都在网上买东西，所以我决定试一试。我订购了一些护肤品，”谢女士回忆道。“我完成付款后，四天左右产品就送到了家门口。”
The experience was eye-opening. "The platform had so many options, and the prices were great. With little time to shop in stores while working, online shopping felt like a lifesaver."
这次经历令她大开眼界。“该平台有很多选择，而且价格也很优惠。工作时几乎没有时间去商店购物，网上购物感觉就像是救命稻草。”
What began as a one-time experiment quickly became a habit. Xie spent her free time browsing online stores and placing orders, continuing this routine when she returned to Ganjiang in 2017, pregnant with her second child.
一开始只是尝试一次，不久后就变成了一种习惯。谢利用空闲时间浏览网店并下单，2017年她怀着第二个孩子回到赣江后，还在保持网上购物。
However, life in the village wasn't as convenient. While cities like Tianjin already had 48-hour delivery services, Ganjiang still dealt with delays or "unable to deliver "notices. "Many stores showed messages like 'Area not supported for shipping' or 'Additional shipping charges apply'," Xie said. "Sometimes, the shipping fee was higher than the price of the product itself."
然而，村里的生活并不那么方便。虽然像天津这样的城市已经有了48小时送达服务，但赣江的快递仍然有延迟或“无法送达”的消息。“许多商店显示‘区域不支持运输’或‘收取额外运费’等信息，”谢说。“有时，运费高于产品本身的价格。”
In Tianjin, Xie was used to receiving her orders in about three days. But in Ganjiang, the wait could stretch to five or six days, and sometimes, she had to drive to town to pick up her packages. "It was frustrating," she added.
在天津，谢习惯了三天左右就能收到快递。但在赣江，等待时间可能长达五六天，有时，她不得不开车去镇上取包裹。“这令人沮丧，”她补充道。
But in 2024, everything began to change. "Now, I get free shipping all the time, and if the items are close by, they arrive in two days. If they're farther away, it's at most three or four days. It's so convenient now," Xie said.
但到了2024年，情况开始改变了。“现在，都是包邮，离得近的两天就到了，离得远的最多三四天，现在太方便了，”谢说。
Zhao Xiaohong, a fellow villager, noticed the transformation as well. "Express delivery and e-commerce have become essential parts of our lives," Zhao said.
老乡赵晓红接着也发现了改变。“快递和电子商务已经成为我们生活中必不可少的一部分，”赵说。
"Whether it's the elderly or children, everyone is either picking up a parcel or heading out to collect one. Packages arrive so often that we sometimes have to queue at the delivery station."
“不管是老人还是孩子，大家不是在取包裹，就是在去取包裹的路上。包裹来得太频繁了，我们有时要在快递站排队。”
In Ganjiang, the allure of city life has faded. "There are job opportunities right here, and whatever we want to buy online is delivered to our doorstep. We don't envy city living anymore," Zhao added.
在赣江，城市生活已经不再诱人。“这里有工作机会，我们想在网上买什么就送货上门。我们不再羡慕城市生活了，”赵补充道。
What once seemed like a distant luxury has now become part of daily life in Ganjiang. As e-commerce and express delivery networks expand into remote parts of China, they are reshaping how people shop and live. For Xie, Zhao, and others in Ganjiang, receiving everything from daily necessities to special purchases has made rural life feel more connected to the world, bridging both physical and cultural distances.
曾经看似遥远的奢望，如今已成为赣江日常生活的一部分。随着电子商务和快递网络扩展到中国偏远地区，人们的购物和生活方式正在重新定义。对于赣江的谢、赵等人来说，可以买到从生活用品到特殊品等一切，乡村生活与世界的关联感觉更加紧密了，弥补了物理距离文化差异。
Reducing the gap
缩小差距
The expanding parcel delivery network in China has reduced the gap between urban and rural areas, providing rural residents with access to urban commodities and facilitating the flow of agricultural products to cities.
随着中国包裹递送网络不断扩大，城乡差距缩小，为农村居民提供了获取城市商品的途径，也为农产品流向城市提供了便利。
Xie and Zhao's experience mirrors a larger trend across China, driven by the rapid growth of the country's parcel delivery sector. On Nov 17, 2024, China's parcel delivery industry reached a milestone, handling a record 150 billion parcels within a year. This marks the country's economic resilience and the efficiency of its logistics and e-commerce systems.
谢和赵的经历反映了中国包裹递送行业快速增长推动下全国的更大趋势。2024年11月17日，中国包裹递送行业达到了一个里程碑，一年内处理了1500亿个包裹，创造了记录。这展现出我国的经济弹性以及物流和电子商务系统的效率。
This surge in parcel deliveries highlights logistics' role in China's economy. In 2024, the average Chinese consumer is expected to receive over 100 parcels annually, with the country's delivery network processing more than 5,400 parcels every second.
包裹递送量的激增凸显了物流在中国经济中的作用。到2024年，我国的配送网络每秒将处理超过5,400个包裹，预计中国消费者平均每年将收到超过100个包裹。
"On one hand, China's express delivery industry ensures the well-being of the residents, while on the other, it stimulates production. This virtuous cycle contributes to economic growth and strengthens China's leadership in the global supply chain," said Zhao Guojun, director of the Postal Development Research Center at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.
北京邮电大学邮政发展研究中心主任赵国军表示：“一方面，中国的快递业保障了居民的福祉，另一方面，也刺激了生产。这种良性循环有助于经济增长，并巩固了中国在全球供应链中的领导地位。”
The rapid growth of China's express delivery sector is closely tied to the explosive expansion of its e-commerce market, which continues to drive demand for faster and more efficient delivery services. As the world's largest e-commerce market, China generates massive business for the logistics industry, with online shopping becoming a cornerstone of daily life for many.
中国快递行业的快速增长与其电子商务市场的爆炸性扩张密切相关，电子商务市场持续加大对更快、更高效的快递服务的需求。作为全球最大的电子商务市场，中国为物流行业创造了大量业务，网上购物已成为许多人日常生活的基石。
According to a report released in 2022 by iResearch, a digital economy consultancy, over 80 percent of domestic express delivery packages in China are e-commerce products. The volume of e-commerce packages is projected to exceed 157.6 billion by 2027, accounting for approximately 81 percent of the total express delivery market, according to a report by ZTO Express last year.
数字经济咨询公司艾瑞咨询2022年发布的报告显示，国内快递包裹中超过80%是电商产品。根据中通快递去年的一份报告，到2027年，电子商务包裹量预计将超过1576亿件，约占整个快递市场的81%。
However, the high cost of shipping to remote areas has long been a challenge, especially in western China. This bottleneck has prevented many rural consumers from enjoying fast, affordable deliveries. But by 2024, strides have been made to address this issue.
然而，尤其是在中国西部地区等偏远地区高昂的运输成本长期以来一直是一个挑战。这一瓶颈阻碍了许多农村消费者享受快速、实惠的送货服务。但到2024年，这个问题的解决已经取得了长足进步。
Shipping to remote areas
偏远地区的运输
Since 2022, e-commerce platforms and logistics companies have pioneered a new "e-commerce transfer and centralized shipping" model to tackle the cost and logistical challenges of reaching remote areas.
自2022年以来，电商平台和物流公司开创了“电商转运+集中发货”的新模式，以应对到达偏远地区的成本和物流挑战。
Parcels destined for distant locations are first sent to transfer warehouses, like those in Xi'an of Shaanxi province, where they are sorted and then sent collectively to their final destinations by logistics providers. This collective shipping approach has significantly lowered delivery costs for e-commerce sellers, especially those hesitant to ship to western regions due to expensive logistics fees.
运往较远地区的包裹首先要送往中转仓库，像那些位于陕西省西安市的中转仓库，在那里分拣包裹，然后由物流提供商集体运送到最终目的地。这种集体运输方式大大降低了电商卖家的交付成本，尤其是那些为了昂贵的物流费用而踌躇的卖家。
For example, a consumer in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region will see their items shipped first to the Xi'an warehouse, where they are sorted and relabeled before being sent collectively to Xinjiang, reducing individual shipping costs. The final "last mile" is then handled by local networks, ensuring parcels reach remote villages.
例如，新疆维吾尔自治区的消费者将看到他们的商品首先被运送到西安仓库，在那里将其分类并重新贴上标签，然后集体发送到新疆，从而降低了个人运输成本。最终，“最后一程”由当地运输网络处理，确保包裹到达偏远村庄。
An online store owner in East China's Anhui province who sells herbal tea across China experienced the difference firsthand. Previously, delivering a package from Anhui to western regions could cost up to 18 yuan ($2.46) per kg. Under the new system, shipping to Xi'an now costs just 2 yuan per kilogram, with an additional 3 yuan for the final delivery to Xinjiang.
中国东部安徽省的一位在中国各地销售凉茶的网店老板对这种差异的感受很大。此前，从安徽向西部地区运送包裹的费用可能高达每公斤18元（2.46美元）。现在，新系统运到西安每公斤只需2元，最后运到新疆还要加3元。
In September 2024, Pinduoduo, one of China's top e-commerce platforms, launched its "Billion-yuan subsidy" initiative. This initiative covers the cost of logistics transfer fees for shipments from the transfer hubs to remote regions like Xizang autonomous region, Gansu, and Ningxia Hui autonomous region, allowing merchants to ship to these areas at costs similar to shipping to eastern China.
2024年9月，国内顶级电商平台之一拼多多推出“百亿补贴”。该举措涵盖了从转运中心运往西藏自治区、甘肃和宁夏回族自治区等偏远地区的物流转运费成本，允许商家以和运往中国东部相当的成本向这些地区发货。
For instance, the herbal tea seller in Anhui now only pays 2 yuan per kg from Anhui to Xinjiang.
例如，安徽的凉茶卖家现在从安徽发到新疆每公斤只需支付2元。
Consumers in remote regions are noticing the difference.
偏远地区的消费者感受到了变化。
Xie Ruiling now enjoys free shipping on nearly all her purchases, and delivery times have improved further. "I receive my purchases in two to four days in most cases," she said.
现在，谢瑞玲购买的几乎所有的商品都享受免费送货服务，送货时间也进一步减少。“我大多数会在两到四天内收到购买的商品，”她说。
The changes are also beneficial for consumers like Geng Bing in Xizang. He used to pay around 30 yuan to ship a car-top luggage box. Under the new system, his shipping costs were waived.
像西藏耿兵这样的消费者也受益于这些变化。他以前运送一个车顶行李箱要花30元左右。新系统免除了他的运费。
"By leveraging 'transfer hubs', the initiative has created a ripple effect that benefits three key areas. First, it reduces the additional logistics costs that consumers in remote areas would otherwise incur. Second, it expands the sales reach of e-commerce merchants to western and remote regions. Third, it brings an increase in e-commerce parcels, which further reduces the operational costs of express delivery services," said Xu Yong, vice president of the express logistics branch of the China Transportation Association.
“通过撬动‘中转枢纽’，该举措连续促进了三个关键领域。首先，它降低了偏远地区消费者原本的额外物流成本。其次，它将电子商务商家的销售范围扩大到西部和偏远地区。第三，它增加了电子商务包裹量，这进一步降低了快递服务的运营成本，”中国交通运输协会快递物流分会副会长徐勇说。
"E-commerce platforms serve as a hub for merchants, product information, financial flow, and logistics, making them highly influential," he said, adding that the initiative has promoted win-win development for consumers, e-commerce platforms, and logistics services in western and remote regions.
“电子商务平台是商家、产品信息、资金流和物流的枢纽，具有很强的影响力，”他说，并补充说，该举措促进了西部和偏远地区消费者、电子商务平台和物流服务的共赢发展。
E-commerce boosted in west
电子商务在西部地区蓬勃发展
China has been investing in infrastructure to strengthen delivery networks in China's western regions, addressing longstanding barriers to e-commerce growth. Distribution centers are expanding, and transportation routes are being optimized to improve operational efficiency.
中国一直在投资基础设施，以加强中国西部地区的配送网络，解决电子商务增长的顽固障碍。正在扩建配送中心以及优化运输路线，以提高运营效率。
According to the State Post Bureau of China, since 2024, the regional development of the postal and express delivery industry has become more balanced, with the proportion of express deliveries in the central and western regions continuing to rise. The growth rate of business volume in these areas exceeds the national average.
中国国家邮政局介绍，2024年以来，邮政和快递业区域发展更加均衡，中西部地区快递占比持续上升。这些地区的业务量增速超过全国平均水平。
Thanks to these improvements, products from remote western areas like melons from Changji, Xinjiang, yak meat from Nyingchi in Xizang, and red goji berries from Haixi, Qinghai province, are now delivered to consumers across China, opening up new markets for regional specialties.
得益于这些改进，来自西部偏远地区的产品，如新疆昌吉的甜瓜、西藏昌吉的牦牛肉和青海海西的红枸杞，现在运送到中国各地的消费者手中，为当地特产开辟了新的市场。
This new commerce is stimulating local economies and making it easier for remote-area consumers to access a wider range of products.
这种新的商业正在刺激当地经济，并使偏远地区的消费者更容易获得更多品类的产品。
Through the new shipping model, e-commerce platforms are reducing logistics costs, improving operational efficiency, and unlocking potential in underserved western and rural markets.
通过新的运输模式，电子商务平台正在降低物流成本，提高运营效率，并释放缺乏服务的西部和农村市场的潜力。
This is bridging the gap between eastern and western China, bringing the benefits of e-commerce and faster delivery to a larger population.
因此，中国东部和西部之间的差距正在弥合，使电子商务和更快交付惠及更多的人。
As express delivery continues to evolve, it has become an integral part of daily life in China. With an average of 100 parcels delivered per person annually, the country is experiencing an unprecedented reliance on parcel delivery services. It's no longer just about receiving a package; it's about how people live and shop, connecting rural areas to urban centers and making the world feel smaller.
随着快递的不断发展，它已经成为中国日常生活中不可或缺的一部分。平均每人每年递送100个包裹，我国对包裹递送服务的依赖前所未有。这不再仅仅是收到一个包裹；它是关于人们如何生活和购物，连接农村地区和城市中心，让世界感觉更小。
Beyond the numbers, the personal connections formed between delivery drivers and customers are what truly humanize this booming industry.
除了数字之外，送货员和客户之间形成的个人联系才是这个蓬勃发展的行业真正人性化的原因。
On the last day of 2024, He Kaixin, a resident of Zhangzhou in East China's Fujian province, sent an online red envelope containing 50 yuan as a token to the courier who had been serving her for the past year.
2024年的最后一天，福建漳州居民何凯欣给过去一年为她服务的快递员在网上发了一个50元的红包作为感谢。
She sent the red envelope with a message: "Thank you for delivering my packages to my doorstep all year. The elevator is often broken, and I know it must be tough carrying parcels up. Please take this to just enjoy a cup of milk tea on me."
她在红包上附了一条信息：“谢谢你一年到头把我的包裹送到家门口。电梯经常坏，我知道带包裹上去一定很辛苦。请你收下红包，当请你一杯奶茶钱。”
The deliveryman politely declined, replying, "This is my job, it's what I do."
送货员礼貌地拒绝了，回答说：“这是我的工作，这是我该做的。”
Though simple, his response reflected the pride workers take in their roles, no matter the challenges.
他的回答虽然简朴，但是反映了员工们无论面对什么挑战，都对自己工作充满自豪感。
