China's e-commerce logistics index gained for the fourth straight month in June, indicating a steady domestic demand recovery, industry data showed on Wednesday.
Last month, the index tracking e-commerce logistics activities came in at 114.8 points, up 0.9 points from May, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP).
Breaking down the data, the total business volume index stood at 132.9 points, a month-on-month increase of 3.1 points.
In terms of regions, the total business volume indexes of regions across China were all on the rise, with the western region reporting the largest growth and the eastern region's increase exceeding the national average. Notably, the rural e-commerce logistics business volume index reached 132.1 points, 2.4 points higher than May.
"E-commerce has played a significant role in promoting consumption. So the vitality of consumption is gradually increasing, and consumer expectations are also improving," said Liu Yuhang, director of China Logistics Information Center.
From the demand side, during the mid-year online shopping promotion in June, live streaming activities became more diverse and maintained a good growth momentum.
As for the supply side, e-commerce companies intensified efforts to meet the delivery needs of merchants and consumers, by means such as increasing the application of digital technology and providing customized services.
Experts predicted that the e-commerce logistics demand may slow down in July as the blowout mid-year e-commerce sales festival came to an end. However, driven by the rapid growth of consumer demand, the e-commerce logistics market is expected to remain very active.
China's e-commerce logistics index up for 4 consecutive months
U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that Israel's attack on Beirut "should not have happened," while the Israeli military said it will continue its operations in Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that the Israeli military struck Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut's Dahieh suburb on Sunday, in response to firing into Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, Lebanese media reported an Israeli airstrike targeted a building in the Ghobeiri area in Beirut's southern suburbs.
The strike drew criticism from Trump, who said a regional peace deal, including Lebanon, was "very close" and urged all parties, especially Israel, to stand down.
"We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down," he wrote on Truth Social.
"This morning's attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran," he wrote.
Israel's Sunday strikes should not disrupt the diplomacy efforts for a U.S.-Iran peace deal, Trump said.
"There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel," the U.S. president added.
On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir, during his inspection of the Northern Command, said Israeli forces will continue military operations in Lebanon in an effort to secure more favorable terms in future U.S.-mediated negotiations between the two sides.
Zamir said the IDF's operations in key areas such as the Beaufort Ridge in southern Lebanon were crucial, and that Israeli forces will continue their offensive and deepen their ground advance in necessary areas to eliminate security threats posed by Hezbollah.
He added that the IDF remains on high alert for potential developments on other fronts.
Trump says Israeli strike on Beirut should not have happened; Israel says it will continue Lebanon operations
