China’s Logistics Network Hits 630 Million Parcels, 160 Million Tons Daily
China’s logistics network has reached unprecedented scale, handling up to 630 million parcels in a single day during e-commerce promotions and moving an average of 160 million tons of cargo daily across rail, road, water, air, and pipeline transport. According to CCTV News, the country now operates the world’s largest logistics market, with port throughput and express delivery indicators ranking first globally.
Context: The Scale of China’s Logistics Network
At peak times, China processes 8,437 parcels per second. The network is supported by approximately 400 comprehensive freight hubs spanning 37 cities, connecting over 80% of county-level administrative regions and serving roughly 90% of the nation’s economy and population. These figures underscore the sheer magnitude of a system that state media describes as the “circulatory system” of the national economy.
The efficiency of this network has improved markedly. China’s total social logistics cost-to-GDP ratio fell from 14.9% a decade ago to 13.9% in 2025, signaling steady gains in productivity. While this still lags behind developed economies where the ratio typically ranges from 8% to 10%, the trajectory reflects sustained investment and policy focus.
Infrastructure Milestones
Yang Yong, Deputy Director of the Transport Service Department at the Ministry of Transport, highlighted the breadth of infrastructure achievements. “The completion rate of China’s national comprehensive three-dimensional transport network backbone has exceeded 90%,” Yang said in the CCTV report. “The reach and carrying capacity of transportation logistics have significantly improved.”
Rural connectivity has been a particular priority. According to the Ministry of Transport, 90% of townships now have Grade III or above highways, and 95% of larger natural villages have hardened roads. International connectivity is also expanding, with road freight corridors reaching 22 countries and regions and maritime routes serving over 100 countries and regions.
Postal and Express Delivery Growth
The China News report on the 2026 National Postal Work Conference provides additional detail on the sector’s performance. In 2025, China’s postal industry handled 2,165 billion items with revenue of 1.8 trillion yuan (approximately $250 billion). Express delivery alone accounted for 1,990 billion items and 1.5 trillion yuan in revenue, growing 13.7% year-on-year.
Zhao Chongjiu, Director of the State Post Bureau, stated at the conference that the industry “maintained a stable and improving trend, with major indicators achieving stable growth, further enhancing its role in promoting economic and social development.” For 2026, the target is 2,300 billion total items (up 6%) and 2,140 billion express delivery items (up 8%).
The 15th Five-Year Plan: Next Phase of Development
Looking ahead, the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) sets ambitious targets for further infrastructure development. The Ministry of Transport has outlined a strategy built on “一网四化” (one network, four transformations): building a comprehensive transport network with integrated development, safety enhancement, digital-intelligent upgrading, and green transformation.
The key target is raising the national comprehensive transport network backbone completion rate from over 90% to 95% by 2030. This will involve accelerating digital transformation through smart logistics and AI, promoting green logistics with new energy vehicles, and strengthening multi-modal transport coordination across rail, road, water, air, and postal services.
Analysis: Economic and Global Implications
China’s logistics dominance carries significant implications for global trade. Its extensive maritime and road freight networks position the country as a critical node in international supply chains. The continued investment in international corridors — reaching over 100 countries by sea and 22 by road — will further cement this role.
However, challenges remain. Balancing logistics growth with carbon neutrality goals will require substantial investment in green technologies. The rural-urban service quality gap, while narrowing, persists. And geopolitical tensions pose risks to international logistics corridors.
What’s Next
As the 15th Five-Year Plan unfolds, the focus will be on completing the transport backbone, deploying AI and automation across the logistics chain, and further reducing costs. The target of a 95% network completion rate by 2030 signals that China intends to maintain its position as the world’s largest logistics market while pushing toward greater efficiency and sustainability.
With express delivery expected to surpass 2,140 billion items in 2026 alone, the trajectory points to continued expansion — and continued integration of China’s economy with global supply chains.