Multiple departments have made it clear: Going forward, logistics professionals should proceed as follows.

12 month 3 On [date], the Ministry of Transport held a special press conference on reducing costs, improving quality, and enhancing efficiency in transport and logistics. Liu Pengfei, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport and Director of the Policy Research Office; Wang Xiuchun, Deputy Director-General and First-Class Inspector of the Department of Transport Services; Li Zhenjiang, Deputy Director-General of the Transportation Supervision and Management Department of the National Railway Administration; Shang Kejia, Deputy Director-General of the Transport Department of the Civil Aviation Administration of China; and Li Yongsong, Second-Class Inspector of the Policy and Regulations Department of the State Post Bureau, attended the conference and answered questions from reporters.

▍Fully advance cost reduction, quality improvement, and efficiency gains in the transportation and logistics sectors    

Liu Pengfei stated that transportation and logistics are key sectors for reducing overall social logistics costs, playing a pioneering, foundational, and safeguarding role.

In recent years, China has built the world’s largest high-speed railway network, highway network, postal and express delivery network, and a cluster of world-class ports, with the total length of its comprehensive transportation network exceeding 600 Ten thousand kilometers; 2023 The national freight volume for the year reached 556.8 100 million tons, with postal and express delivery volume completed. 1625 Hundreds of millions of parcels—transport and logistics operations have seen steady improvements in quality and efficiency.

Recently, the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with relevant departments, issued the “Action Plan for Reducing Costs, Enhancing Quality, and Improving Efficiency in Transport and Logistics,” along with sector-specific implementation plans for railways, highways, waterway transport, civil aviation, and postal services, thereby establishing… “ 1+5 “Policy framework system. Going forward, the Ministry of Transport will ‘focus on one goal, center on two services, and advance five key tasks,’ making every effort to reduce costs, improve quality, and enhance efficiency in transport and logistics, thereby helping to effectively lower overall social logistics costs.”

“Focusing on a single goal”: Significant progress has been made in reducing costs, improving quality, and boosting efficiency in the transportation and logistics sectors, fully supporting the overall reduction of social logistics expenses and… GDP The ratio is strived to be reduced to 13.5% Left and right. The national railway freight transport turnover has compared to… 2023 Year-over-year growth 10% Around, the annual average growth rate of intermodal container transport by rail and water at the port is 15% Left and right.

The national comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network’s main framework will be further refined, and new breakthroughs will be achieved in areas such as the reform of the integrated transport system, the market‑oriented reform of railway freight transport, the adjustment of the transport structure, and the development of multimodal transport. Meanwhile, the role of transport and logistics in supporting the construction of a modern industrial system will become even more prominent.

“Centering on two services”: First, serving the real economy by closely aligning with the logistics needs and evolving business models of the real sector, thereby strengthening industrial chains, reshaping supply chains, and elevating value chains through efficient logistics networks.

Second, we will serve the people by focusing on ensuring smooth domestic consumption cycles, enhancing the quality of logistics services, and continuously meeting the public’s aspirations for a better life.

“Advancing Five Key Tasks”: First, focusing on “promoting integration,” we will advance the integrated development of transportation and logistics with all upstream and downstream links. We will support the seamless integration of transportation and logistics with advanced manufacturing, modern agriculture, and strategic emerging industries. We will formulate and refine transport‑service support measures for cutting‑edge sectors such as new‑energy vehicle power batteries and energy‑storage batteries. Moreover, we will accelerate the cultivation of internationally competitive transportation and logistics enterprises.

Second, focus on “Adjusting the structure” involves continuously deepening the restructuring of the transport sector and promoting multimodal transport. We will organize and implement a targeted campaign to optimize the transport structure, steadily advancing the shift of bulk cargo and medium- and long-distance freight from road to rail and from road to water. We will accelerate the extension of railway sidings into port areas, industrial parks, and factory premises. Furthermore, we will promote data exchange and sharing across multimodal transport modes and expedite the development of new‑type logistics integrators.

Third, focus on “Strengthening the network” by accelerating the interconnection, supplementation, and reinforcement of transportation and logistics infrastructure. Optimizing the layout of a comprehensive, multi-dimensional transport network and deepening the implementation of national initiatives to bolster and strengthen supply chains at key freight hubs. Rolling out railway freight‑network projects to enhance conventional rail networks and heavy‑haul railways, advancing the National Inland Waterway Connectivity Project, and continuously refining multimodal transport systems for “coal from the west to the east,” “coal from the north to the south,” and “grain from the north to the south.” At the same time, efforts are being stepped up to address bottlenecks in last‑mile urban–rural logistics.

Fourth, focus on “Promote reform” by accelerating the development of a unified, open, and large-scale transportation and logistics market. Guided by deepening reforms of the integrated transport system, advance the market‑oriented reform of railway freight, foster high‑quality growth in road freight, and strengthen support for air cargo capacity, including airspace and slot resources. Further refine the institutional mechanisms for integrated transport management, and steadily promote the development and utilization of public data resources in the transport and logistics sectors.

Fifth, focus on “Excellent services” are driving the innovative development of new business forms and models, such as smart logistics. We will accelerate the digital transformation and upgrading of transportation and logistics infrastructure, and systematically promote pilot applications of autonomous driving, driverless vehicles, and drones in key regions. We will also pioneer new logistics‑organization models, including high-speed rail express delivery, collaborative last‑mile delivery, and integrated passenger‑freight‑postal services in rural areas. Furthermore, we will expedite the adoption of standardized, lightweight, box‑type, and intelligent logistics equipment.

▍Significant progress has been made in reducing costs, improving quality, and enhancing efficiency in the transportation and logistics sectors.    

Deepening the adjustment of the transport structure is a key component of building a modern, integrated transportation system and of supporting cost reduction, quality improvement, and efficiency gains in the transport and logistics sectors. In recent years, the Ministry of Transport has steadily advanced efforts to optimize and adjust the transport structure, achieving positive results.

Wang Xiuchun stated that this year… 1-10 In [month], the national railway and waterway freight volumes decreased compared to... 2020 Increased by ... year-on-year, respectively. 14.2% and 29.9% Going forward, the Ministry of Transport will continue to vigorously advance the initiative to optimize the transport structure, focusing on key areas and weak links, sustaining its efforts to ensure the comprehensive achievement of the goals and tasks for restructuring and optimizing the transport system.

First, focus on key areas and promote… " Shift from road to rail "" Revolutionary Water " Achieving practical results. We are actively promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of bulk cargo transportation in key regions, including the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei area, the major coal-producing areas of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia, and the Northeast region. We have secured… 2027 In the year, the national railway freight transport turnover was compared to… 2023 Year-over-year growth 10% Around, the annual average growth rate of intermodal container transport by rail and water at the port is 15% Left and right.

Second, we will focus on key corridors and advance the interconnectivity of priority logistics routes. Leveraging the pilot program for building a transportation powerhouse aimed at reducing costs, improving quality, and boosting efficiency, we will prioritize the seamless integration of the New Western Land-Sea Corridor, the Yangtze River Economic Belt logistics corridor, the Yellow River Ecological Economic Belt logistics corridor, and the Central China multimodal transport corridor. This will facilitate the development of hub nodes within these corridors, enhance data exchange, foster organizational innovation, and remove bottlenecks and constraints in the restructuring of the transport mix.

Third, we will focus on key milestones and improve the integrated freight hub and the collection‑distribution transport system. We will provide support… 37 Cities are undertaking national integrated freight hub projects to strengthen and extend supply chains, while enhancing the service capabilities of these hubs. Efforts are being made to extend railway sidings into port areas, industrial parks, and factory premises. New and relocated dedicated lines for bulk cargo with an annual throughput of… 150 In principle, logistics parks, industrial parks, industrial and mining enterprises, grain storage facilities, and other facilities with a capacity of 10,000 tons or more shall be connected to dedicated railway lines or pipelines. By… 2027 The proportion of green freight transport modes at major coastal ports exceeds 80%。

Fourth, we will focus on key links and vigorously innovate transportation and logistics organizational models. We will strongly promote intermodal transport by rail–water, road–rail, as well as river–sea transport, and water–water transshipment, and… " Bulk-to-Container Conversion " , support the development of integrated rail–molten iron and river–sea transport service hubs, innovate transport organization models such as high-speed rail express services, double-stack container block trains, and multi‑modal express services, improve the operation and maintenance mechanisms for railway dedicated lines, and promote the high‑quality development of multimodal transport.

▍“Rail where appropriate, and prioritize rail” helps reduce logistics costs.    

Railways are the backbone of the integrated transportation system and play a vital role in reducing logistics costs, improving quality, and enhancing efficiency. Li Zhenjiang stated that in recent years, railway freight has enjoyed robust growth, further strengthening its contribution to lowering overall societal logistics costs.

Li Zhenjiang believes that railway dedicated lines are essential for streamlining rail transport. The “last-mile” segment, spanning roughly one kilometer, plays a crucial role in reducing transportation and logistics costs. At present, the seamless integration of various modes of transport remains inadequate, and frequent short-haul transshipment operations at both ends of rail freight further contribute to higher logistics expenses.

Going forward, the National Railway Administration will focus on connectivity and prioritize two key areas of work:

First, we will strengthen infrastructure. “Hard connectivity.” We will study and standardize the construction, connection, and operational management of railway dedicated lines, with a focus on extending these lines into factories, mines, ports, and industrial parks. We will develop and issue regulations governing the connection of railway lines to private tracks, ensuring that all eligible connections are implemented. We will also revise the design standards for railway dedicated lines, strengthen oversight and enforcement of these standards, appropriately set design criteria, and reduce construction costs. Furthermore, we will launch pilot projects covering the entire lifecycle of railway dedicated‑line construction and operation, promoting the principle of “rail whenever feasible” in freight transport and helping to lower logistics costs.

Second, we will ensure that rules and standards are effectively implemented. “Soft connectivity.” We will vigorously promote the development of rail‑container transport and encourage the use of double‑stack rail containers, specialized containers for hazardous materials, and other such solutions. We will guide eligible intermodal operators to offer a single‑document service, enabling shippers to place a single booking, settle charges in one payment, obtain a single insurance policy, and entrust the entire multimodal transport process to a single operator. We will also develop technical specifications for container loading and safety inspections in rail‑water intermodal transport, advance mutual recognition of security checks for intermodal containers, and ensure end‑to‑end container integrity without opening or re‑inspecting containers en route.

▍China’s air cargo volume has reached its highest level on record.    

At the conference, Shang Kejia stated that, since the beginning of this year, China’s air cargo sector has enjoyed a favorable development trajectory, with international air freight maintaining a robust growth trend, as reflected in three key areas.

First, freight volume has reached an all-time high. 1-10 In the month, the entire industry completed a total cargo and mail throughput of 729.8 ten thousand tons, compared with 2019 Year-on-year growth 19.3% . Among them, international routes completed 293.2 ten thousand tons, compared with 2019 A significant year-over-year increase 48.5% 。

Second, international cargo flights have remained at a high level. 1-10 Monthly average daily cargo flights in civil aviation 597 flights, including international cargo flights 376 flight, and 2019 Increased year-on-year by 58.8% and 80.8% For example, over the past week, the average daily number of cargo flights was… 752 flights, including international cargo flights 498 flights, up year-on-year by 70.9% 、 100.4% . From a regional perspective, the number of flights in Southeast Asia, Central and West Asia, South Asia, Europe, the Americas, and other regions is… 2019 The year-on-year growth rates all exceeded 100%。

Third, the competitiveness of market players has been steadily improving. Domestic airlines, airports, freight forwarders, and e‑commerce platforms are all actively participating in international air transport competition. Taking airlines as an example, this year… 1-10 In [month], Chinese airlines’ share of the international route market exceeded 40 percent, compared to… 2019 Year-on-year increase 5.7 percentage points, further enhancing international competitiveness.

Shang Kejia pointed out that, with the transformation and upgrading of China’s industries and the joint development of… " Belt and Road Initiative " With the deepening and solid implementation of initiatives and the rapid growth of new business models such as cross-border e‑commerce, air logistics is poised to seize a rare historical opportunity. Moving forward, the Civil Aviation Administration will remain firmly focused on the goals of reducing costs, enhancing quality, and improving efficiency in air logistics, continuing to deepen reforms, refining policies for the allocation of resources and factors of production, and optimizing the business environment, thereby further advancing the high-quality development of international air cargo transport.

Promote the orderly implementation of the action plan. Focusing on key areas, critical links, and bottleneck issues in civil aviation, advance the “Action Plan for Reducing Costs, Enhancing Quality, and Improving Efficiency in Transport and Logistics” and… The “Implementation Plan for the Civil Aviation Sector” has been put into practice.

Continuously enhance the supply of air rights resources. Actively engage in international consultations to expand air‑rights arrangements and bolster the reserve of cargo‑related air rights. Support airlines in increasing capacity in response to market demand, with particular emphasis on guiding Chinese carriers to focus on developing cargo hubs and main bases to optimize their route networks. Building on the effective utilization of third- and fourth‑freedom rights, encourage greater use of fifth‑freedom rights to tap into emerging medium- and long‑haul markets and broaden the reach of airline networks.

Optimize and refine policies for airline route and flight management. In light of the current needs of the aviation logistics sector—particularly the development of emerging business models such as cross-border e‑commerce—further streamline approval procedures and support airlines in converting long‑term, on‑demand charter flights into scheduled services. At the same time, strengthen monitoring of traffic rights, promptly address underutilized allocations, and continuously enhance the efficiency of traffic‑rights resource utilization.

▍Promote standardization, intelligentization, and green development in the postal sector    

Developing new‑type productive forces is a crucial pathway for the postal and express delivery sector to enhance quality and efficiency and drive transformation. The Action Plan for Reducing Costs, Improving Quality, and Boosting Efficiency in Transport and Logistics underscores the need to accelerate the development of smart logistics and green logistics. Li Yongsong explained that speeding up the advancement of smart and green logistics and promoting technology‑driven cost reductions, quality improvements, and efficiency gains primarily involves advancing… “Three transformations,” namely standardization, intelligentization, and greening.

In terms of standardization, the focus is on strengthening information coordination and sharing. The State Post Bureau, in collaboration with relevant departments, has issued the “Guiding Opinions on the Layout and Construction of National Postal and Express Logistics Hubs,” promoting the intensive utilization of infrastructure and trunk‑line transport capacity. Furthermore, standards such as the “Information Exchange Specifications for Express Delivery by High-Speed Rail” and the “Information Exchange Specifications for Express Delivery by Air” have been thoroughly implemented to enhance the efficiency of express delivery. The efficiency of seamless connections between high-speed rail and air travel supports the development of a multimodal transport system that enables end-to-end, cross‑modal and cross‑regional sharing and mutual recognition under a single, unified document.

In terms of intelligence, the focus is on “Artificial intelligence” + “Better promote the integration of digital and physical systems, advance the application of technologies such as intelligent security screening, smart voice assistants, and intelligent video in the postal and express delivery sector, drive iterative upgrades to production and operational models, and enhance end-to-end operational efficiency. Make full use of policies supporting large-scale equipment renewal and technological upgrading, accelerate the modernization of sorting facilities, transport vehicles, and other assets, support the scaled development of smart cloud warehouses, intelligent last-mile delivery, and low‑altitude logistics, expand the range of drone‑based applications, and strengthen overall processing capabilities.”

In terms of greening, the focus is on ensuring steady and prudent implementation. Under the “dual carbon” strategy, we will deepen green governance of express packaging, encourage greater use of reusable packaging in intra-city delivery, and further reduce packaging waste. At the same time, we will guide postal and express delivery enterprises to promote green upgrades of their infrastructure, increase investment in new‑energy equipment, and optimize the energy mix for mail and parcel transportation.

The State Post Bureau is organizing and implementing a special pilot program on postal services as part of the national strategy to build a transportation powerhouse, encouraging relevant local governments, enterprises, research institutions, and other stakeholders to take the lead in piloting initiatives aimed at effectively reducing society-wide logistics costs. These efforts will focus on standardizing the development of the postal and express delivery sector, promoting its green transformation, and advancing the research, development, and application of cutting-edge technologies, with the goal of creating more… “Innovation Hub.”

(Source: Ministry of Transport)