New express delivery record set for 10b parcels in 38 days

As of Sunday -- only the 38th day of this year, China had handled more than 10 billion parcels, marking a new record in the express delivery industry, the State Post Bureau of China said on Monday.

Last year, it took 80 days to handle 10 billion parcels and in 2019, it took 79 days. The new record shows the vitality of the industry, which plays an important role in promoting consumption and facilitating economic flow, the bureau said.

To curb the resurgence of COVID-19, Chinese people are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel and stay where they work and live to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival. The holiday, which falls on Feb 12, is the most important festival for family reunion in China.

Deliveries to and from hometowns have become a new trend this year for people to show their love and care for family and friends, creating a large domestic market for the express delivery industry.

According to the bureau, since Jan 20, the value of online sales has surpassed more than 510 billion yuan ($79 billion), and the number of parcels delivered has seen a year-on-year increase of more than 30 percent.

Companies, such as EMS and SF Express, announced that they will keep business as usual throughout the festival to ensure deliveries.