The widespread adoption of new technologies and devices such as drones, driverless vehicles, and automated sorting systems is transforming logistics in China, improving service efficiency and quality.
China's e-commerce logistics index, which measures logistics operations within the e-commerce sector, rose to 115 points in October, an increase of 0.6 points from September, according to the data released Monday by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP).
The sub-index tracking efficiency and fulfillment rates registered an increase of 0.1 and 0.4 points respectively from last month, marking three consecutive months of gains.
Much of this progress can be traced to the growing use of unmanned sorting and delivery technologies.
For instance, a total of 20 driverless delivery vehicles are actively in service at a logistics hub of a newly operational smart logistics park in Changzhou City of east China's Jiangsu Province.
Small yet technologically advanced, these vehicles cover a radius of five kilometers around the hub, reaching nearby parcel stations.
"These vehicles are equipped with two LiDAR sensors, 12 cameras, and have a detection range of 120 meters, making them highly smart and safe," said Feng Yu, head of the Longcheng logistics hub at the SF Express Fengtai Industrial Park in the city.
Beyond driverless vehicles, high-speed sorting systems are revolutionizing the distribution process. Crisscrossing conveyor belts can automatically direct packages by scanning delivery orders, enhancing accuracy and speed.
"We've boosted our parcel processing capacity from 3,600 items per hour on manual sorting lines to 6,300 items," said Zhang Jian, senior automation engineer at the Longcheng logistics hub. Technological advancements are also enhancing last-mile delivery. Drones, for instance, are now used to improve parcel delivery efficiency in remote regions.
In Longquan City of east China's Zhejiang Province, a new program combining drones with traditional delivery networks has been launched, significantly cutting delivery time for rural residents.
"Our existing delivery network remains in place, and with the addition of drones, delivery frequency has increased to five times per week, significantly improving the speed of rural deliveries," said Zhou Yumiao, director of Longquan's transportation development center.
Unmanned sorting, delivery boost efficiency in China's logistics sector
The second round of U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, with both sides agreeing to a large-scale prisoner exchange but failing to achieve substantive breakthroughs on core issues such as territorial arrangements and a ceasefire.
According to Ukraine, the talks were conducted trilaterally before moving to group consultations. Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said the Ukrainian delegation sought a "dignified and lasting peace," without disclosing specific outcomes.
Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, said the trilateral negotiations had been truly constructive, thanking the U.S. and the UAE for their mediating roles.
Russia's presidential special envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday that there was progress and a positive movement forward in peace talks with Ukraine.
The talks ended with no joint political or security statement, underscoring persistent differences between Russia and Ukraine on key matters, including territorial disputes, ceasefire arrangements, and security guarantees.
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said representatives from the three countries reached a consensus on a prisoner swap.
In a readout of the talks he posted on social media, Witkoff described the discussions as constructive and focused on how to create the conditions for a durable peace.
The delegations had wide-ranging discussions over the past two days on the remaining open issues, including methods for implementing a ceasefire and monitoring the cessation of military activities, according to Witkoff.
He added that the United States and Russia had agreed to establish a military-to-military dialogue to be led by commander of U.S. European Command Alexus Grynkewich.
Following the talks, Russia and Ukraine conducted their first large-scale prisoner exchange in nearly five months, with each side returning 157 detainees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said those released included both military personnel and civilians.
Zelensky also said Thursday that the next peace talks with the delegations of the U.S. and Russia will be held soon. "Further meetings are planned in the near future, likely in the United States," Zelensky said in his evening address.
However, no timetable or arrangements for a next round of talks were announced, highlighting continued uncertainty in the political settlement process.
The second round of talks began on Wednesday. The previous meeting of the trilateral working group on security issues took place from Jan 23 to 24 in Abu Dhabi. It marked the first trilateral engagement since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, although no concrete agreement or joint statement was announced afterward.
In a statement issued earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed cooperation between Russia and Ukraine on the prisoner exchange, saying it demonstrated the UAE's role as a reliable mediator in easing the crisis and promoting constructive dialogue.
2nd round of Russia-Ukraine talks ends in UAE with prisoner swap deal, key differences unresolved
2nd round of Russia-Ukraine talks ends in UAE with prisoner swap deal, key differences unresolved
