By Han Xin, People’s Daily

China’s express delivery sector handled a total of 47.73 billion parcels in the first quarter of 2026, up 5.8 percent year on year. According to statistics released by China’s State Post Bureau on April 22.

As a key link connecting production and consumption, the express delivery industry is often regarded as a real-time barometer of economic activity. What does this growth reveal about China’s economy?

While growth moderated compared to previous years, seasonal factors played a role: the shifting Spring Festival holiday and extended break disrupted early-year operations. By March, normal activity resumed with demand rebounding strongly — parcel volumes already exceeded last year’s levels.

Deeper analysis shows sustained momentum since China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). Parcel volumes rose annually, with each new 100-billion-parcel milestone achieved faster than the last. This steady growth in the first quarter of 2026 — the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) — provides a window into China’s economic transition toward new growth drivers and higher-quality development.

Moving toward the new — what is driving this “new” momentum?

It comes from technology. 

At Jilin’s Chagan Lake winter fishing grounds, autonomous last-mile vehicles now integrate with rail, road, and air networks — delivering fresh catch to Beijing and Shanghai overnight. In Yunnan and Guizhou tea regions, drones have established “aerial tea routes,” reducing order damage by 40 percent.

Domestic firm Neolix nearly tripled autonomous vehicle deliveries year-on-year in the first quarter. Expanding unmanned delivery capabilities helps the sector cut costs, improve service quality, and build new competitive advantages.

It also comes from new scenarios. 

Delivery firms now partner with tourism companies to serve surfing enthusiasts with equipment shipping, collaborate with manufacturers on specialized cargo like EV batteries, and establish urban “micro-warehouses” for flexible storage.

Driven by market demand, the industry continues to innovate on the supply side, extending its reach into households and cross-sector operations while expanding market opportunities.

Behind the faster application of new technologies and the constant emergence of new scenarios lies the strength of China’s complete industrial system and enormous domestic market. Relying on these advantages, as more technological innovation and scenario innovation move in sync, the express logistics sector is accelerating its expansion and upgrading, injecting strong new momentum into economic circulation.

Moving toward higher quality — where is this “higher quality” reflected? 

It is reflected in a better structure.

Since 2021, China’s central and western regions’ share of national delivery volume grew cumulatively by 7.5 percentage points, reaching 32 percent in the first quarter of 2026. These areas are becoming new growth engines, reflecting progress in e-commerce expansion westward and extended “free shipping” coverage — signaling more balanced regional development.

Recent modest price increases (including fuel surcharges) reflect more than rising oil costs. Since 2025, China’s measures to curb destructive price wars have taken effect. Multiple provinces have implemented rate adjustments alongside service quality improvements.

While these corrections contributed to short-term growth moderation, they signal a positive long-term shift: the industry is transitioning from cutthroat pricing to value-based competition.

Both regional rebalancing and market optimization stem from China’s advancement of a unified national market. By removing systemic bottlenecks, improving circulation efficiency, and ensuring fair competition, this integrated market continues unlocking new vitality for the sector.

China operates the world’s largest delivery network in scale and coverage. This achievement rests on tangible capabilities and is propelled by the pursuit of advanced productive forces. As this dynamic, resilient logistics network evolves, it will increasingly serve as a vital indicator of high-quality development — reinforcing China’s economic vitality.

By Zou Song, People’s Daily

April 20 marked United Nations Chinese Language Day. At the University of Venda in South Africa, the Green Technology Confucius Institute — the world’s only Confucius Institute themed on green technology — offers a vivid glimpse into the growing appeal of the Chinese language.

“Can learning Chinese help us take part in these scientific projects?” 

“What links South Africa’s astronomy programs with China’s Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope?”

At the university’s Chinese Language Day event, questions like these poured out from young students. Behind them was not only a strong admiration for China’s scientific and technological progress, but also a firm belief in the value of learning Chinese.

In classrooms, terms such as “environmental protection” and “green development” appear frequently, as Chinese learning and scientific knowledge are absorbed side by side. On the bookshelves, Chinese-language science and technology books are neatly arranged, becoming an important window through which local students can better understand China. In the university’s experimental fields, BeiDou satellite receivers precisely regulate agricultural irrigation, while mobile signal vehicles for smart transportation are preparing to go into service.

These real-world applications make one thing clear to local students: Chinese is far more than a communication tool — it is a practical asset for pursuing opportunities and shaping the future.

This trend is not limited to one campus. Across Africa, 17 countries have incorporated Chinese into their national education systems. The results of Chinese-language education are becoming increasingly evident: at China-Africa cooperation project sites, Chinese and African researchers communicate smoothly and collaborate efficiently in Chinese; in recruitment advertisements from African companies, the phrase “Chinese language skills preferred” is becoming more and more prominent.

A shared understanding is spreading among the young Africans: learning Chinese can open doors to the future. So why is Chinese gaining this reputation?

First, it reflects confidence in China’s development.

Some say that the influence of a language is essentially the influence of a country. As China continues to make breakthroughs and lead globally in fields such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and e-commerce, and as it stands as the world’s second-largest economy and a major force in global scientific and technological innovation, Chinese has become an  indispensable key for those who want to learn advanced technologies and share development opportunities.

“Learn Chinese, and you can get on board China’s fast train of development” — this has become a common aspiration among African youth. 

Eric Maruta, the foreign dean of the institute, put it plainly: “Chinese has opened a window for the Venda region. It allows us to achieve development through Chinese technology and strengthens South Africa-China cooperation.”

Second, it is driven by China’s openness to the world.

With the Belt and Road Initiative expanding across Africa, cooperation now spans not just infrastructure, but also science and technology, education, and culture.

In project after project, local builders who understand both Chinese and technical expertise have become vital connectors in these projects. 

As China opens its doors ever wider and the momentum of China-Africa cooperation grows stronger, the scope for using Chinese also continues to expand. Its future value speaks for itself.

Third, it draws on the the enduring appeal of Chinese civilization.

Chinese continues to attract the world not only because it is useful, but also because behind it stands a civilization that has lasted for thousands of years without interruption. Learning Chinese is, in essence, mastering a new way of understanding the world.

Chinese wisdom such as “harmony without uniformity” and “harmonious coexistence” is contributing solutions to global governance that are rooted in Chinese logic. Chinese is an important carrier for conveying this wisdom.

Chinese is a gift that travels across time and space. The closer one gets to China, and the deeper one engages with Chinese culture, the more one can feel its strength and warmth.

That Chinese is becoming “the language of the future” reflects not only China’s development and the resonance of civilizations, but also the world’s shared pursuit of openness, cooperation, and shared progress.

By Michael Oduro

A significant announcement recently captured attention across African social media: China has granted zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.

This move comes at a critical time, as global protectionism rises and the international trade environment faces unprecedented challenges. China’s move has created a significant opportunity for Africa to expand exports and accelerate industrialization. 

As an African journalist living and working in China, I have gained intimate, firsthand insights into the potential impact of this policy. 

In recent years, I have noticed how African products are gradually becoming more visible in Chinese daily life. Ethiopian coffee, Ghanaian shea butter, Kenyan tea — products that once felt distant are now available on major e-commerce platforms and increasingly appearing in supermarkets and specialty stores across China. Crucially, they are finding a warm reception among Chinese consumers.

It is no exaggeration to say this zero-tariff policy is reshaping the structure of China-Africa trade, opening new commercial pathways, and fostering a deeper appreciation among Chinese consumers for the quality of African goods. By lowering trade costs and expanding market access, China is effectively opening its doors — the world’s largest consumer market — to African farmers, businesses, and entrepreneurs more directly than ever before. Rooted in the principle of shared prosperity, this initiative fully demonstrates China’s commitment to supporting Africa’s economic development and its deeper integration into the global trading system.

Africans understand profoundly the historical difficulties African products have faced in penetrating global markets. For years, Africa’s foreign trade has been constrained by structural bottlenecks that severely undermined its international competitiveness. 

High tariffs, complicated customs procedures and weak cross-border logistics have often squeezed profit margins long before products even left the continent. 

Simultaneously, protectionist policies and additional tariffs imposed by some developed economies further compounded Africa’s trade challenges.

Given this context, China’s announcement of zero-tariff treatment for these 53 nations struck me as a powerful potential accelerator for development. It offers African goods unprecedented efficiency and reach into the vast Chinese market.

My coverage of last year’s 8th China International Import Expo left a lasting impression, particularly the debut of a dedicated exhibition zone for products from least developed countries. Seeing African specialties showcased there was deeply moving. Many African entrepreneurs told me the expo provided unmatched exposure for their products, and they eagerly anticipated the opportunities the zero-tariff policy would bring. Today, that anticipation is translating into tangible purchase orders and genuine benefits for African producers.

Of course, policy dividends do not automatically guarantee development. African countries must act proactively and seize the opportunity. Key steps include improving cross-border logistics, aligning products with Chinese market quality standards, and developing distinctive goods tailored to Chinese consumer preferences to transform policy advantages into concrete economic gains.

From my vantage point in China, I’ve witnessed African entrepreneurs tackling market challenges with impressive resolve. They are strategically positioning themselves within the Chinese market, adapting to consumer demands, and scaling up production. A growing number of African business leaders are blending entrepreneurial drive with strategic clarity, striving to convert potential into tangible improvements in livelihoods across the continent.

Through years of study and work in China, and participation in various Sino-African economic, trade, and cultural exchange activities, I’ve also felt a strong mutual desire for respect and cooperation. This embodies the true value of the China-Africa partnership — one built on solidarity and shared development.

The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. The zero-tariff policy vividly demonstrates China’s efforts to practice the principles of the country’s Africa policy — sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and to pursue the greater good and shared interests. It reflects China’s openness, sense of responsibility, and belief in shared prosperity.

The “zero-tariff express” has started running. The challenge now is for African countries to seize this historic opportunity by strengthening their industrial foundations, improving logistics infrastructure, ensuring product quality, and building competitive brands that resonate with the Chinese consumers. 

With the strong foundation of China-Africa friendship and mature cooperation mechanisms already in place, African countries are fully capable of turning the advantages of zero tariffs into tangible economic and social benefits.

The future has already arrived. And Africa, without question, is beginning to pick up speed.