China’s Rail and Express Delivery Sectors Register Solid Growth in First Four Months

China’s logistics industry has delivered steady growth momentum in the first four months of the year, with national railway freight transport and postal delivery businesses achieving simultaneous improvements in scale and operational quality. Robust performance across the two core logistics segments underpins stable domestic economic circulation and optimises social logistics efficiency.

National railway freight operations maintain stable upward momentum. Latest data shows China State Railway Group recorded a total freight volume of 1.31 billion tonnes from January to April, representing a year-on-year increase of 0.9 percent. The average daily wagon loading volume reached 183,800 units, rising 2 percent year on year, reflecting continuous operational optimisation and capacity release in the railway freight system.

Railway authorities are refining modern logistics service systems and enriching diversified freight products. Led by the China Multimodal Transport Development Alliance, railway operators are deepening cooperation with social logistics enterprises and expanding water-rail intermodal transport services. The integrated one-stop logistics service model covers major coastal and Yangtze River ports, effectively streamlining cargo circulation and cutting comprehensive logistics costs for industrial and commercial enterprises.

Upcoming development plans focus on further modernising railway logistics systems. Continuous innovation in freight product portfolios and service mechanisms will better serve the real economy and reinforce the steady recovery of domestic economic activity.

China’s postal and express delivery sectors also sustain steady expansion. Figures released by the State Post Bureau show the industry completed 70.16 billion total delivery parcels in the first four months, a year-on-year increase of 4.1 percent. Express delivery volume alone hit 64.57 billion pieces, up 5.1 percent year on year.

Monthly data for April maintains stable growth. The sector handled 18.26 billion delivery items last month with a 2.9 percent year-on-year rise, while express business volume stood at 16.84 billion pieces, generating operating revenue of 128.91 billion yuan, marking a 3.2 percent and 6.3 percent year-on-year increase respectively.

Business structure data shows differentiated development trends. Intra-city delivery volume reached 4.51 billion pieces in the first four months, down 9.1 percent year on year, while inter-city long-distance delivery surged 6.4 percent to 58.68 billion pieces, dominating the overall delivery market and reflecting active cross-regional commodity circulation.

The China Express Development Index stood at 444.4 in April, climbing 0.3 percent year on year. Its development scale index rose 1.9 percent annually. The ongoing industrial upgrading enhances comprehensive service capacity, strengthens industrial coordination and delivers more efficient and convenient livelihood services. The continuous optimisation of both railway and postal logistics systems will further underpin high-quality economic development across the country.