(Photo/Zhang Qi)

As of September this year, Jiangsu had built 566 new village-level logistics service stations, contributing significantly to the rural development, according to the Jiangsu Provincial Postal Administration.

A strong support for rural e-commerce

One such station, located in Sicang Village in Xuhe Town, Yancheng City, offers comprehensive services to more than 2,500 villagers, including package pick-up and drop-off, e-commerce livestreaming, and agricultural product showroom.

On the afternoon of September 26, local farmer Tang Weihua received his package after a staff member scanned the order number. Tang, a former truck driver with limited time for family, chose to remain in the village and start his own business, inspired by the rise of e-commerce.

A smooth logistics network is increasingly accessible in the province’s rural areas. This development has allowed migrant workers like Tang to make a living through e-commerce at their hometown.

At the station, two young people were livestreaming to showcase local agricultural specialties. "The weekly livestream has generated nearly 300,000 yuan in sales in less than three years," said Chen Xiangxi, deputy Party chief of Xuhe Town.

Enhancing rural logistics system

Among the province’s recent measures to promote sustained economic recovery and growth, Jiangsu plans to fast-track the development of an efficient and smooth rural circulation system. According to the plan, more than 50% of townships will have public package distribution centers, and over 70% of villages will be equipped with integrated logistics service stations by 2025.

Chen Haiyan, director of the Dongtai City Postal Administration, said the city prioritizes the construction of township-level distribution hubs as essential infrastructure to support village-level logistics. “Each center is equipped with automated sorters. The government will provide the venue and equipment, while courier companies will be responsible for the center’s management,” Chen added.

Boosting agricultural product sales

Yang Yuexin, head of the market supervision office at the Jiangsu Provincial Postal Administration, said efforts are underway to stabilize the operation of express delivery services in the countryside, such as exploring sustainable business models.

"The delivery services are important to enhance the sales of agricultural products through e-commerce, and get rural residents to engage in the digital transformation," Yang added.