(Photo/Qian Jingjing)

The CBD area in Nanjing's Shazhou Subdistrict has launched a service station to meet the needs of people in flexible employment, such as parcel and food couriers.

Having a floor space of 18 square meters, the smart station is the first of its kind in Nanjing under remote monitoring around the clock. People can come to take a break, get boiled water, heat food, charge the phones, seek shelter from rain, or acquire first aid kits.

"It's very helpful. I can come to the station to charge my phone and also eat fast noodles sometimes," courier Zhang Yu said.

Sanitation worker Qin Ming said he fetches hot water from the station about six times a day and it's also warm to take a break inside thanks to the air conditioner.