China's logistics business volume continued to rise in December of 2024, with the prosperity index reaching a new high for 2024, indicating a significant increase in logistics activity, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing on Friday.
In December 2024, the prosperity index of China's logistics industry stood at 53.1 percent, up by 0.3 percentage points from the previous month.
Supported by favorable policies and inherent market dynamics, the total logistics business volume index has risen for five consecutive months.
Business volume indexes have shown balanced growth across the nation, with the eastern region experiencing the most significant climb.
From an industry perspective, there was a notable upturn in logistics demand during the month in sectors such as electrical machinery, semiconductors, communication equipment, transportation equipment, and new energy vehicle manufacturing.
In addition, the potential for residential consumption continues to be released, with stable demand for online shopping.
The total business volume indexes for road transport, water transport, and multimodal transport all showed varying degrees of increase month on month.
Meanwhile, the total business volume indexes for railway transport, air transport, and postal express industries remained above 55 percent, indicating a high level of prosperity.
"Throughout the year of 2024, the prosperity index of China's logistics industry demonstrated a pattern of stability followed by growth, maintaining a steady upward trend in overall logistics operations. The continuous enhancement of logistics service capabilities, characterized by high quality, high efficiency, and high adaptability, plays a crucial foundational role in promoting both domestic and international economic circulation, accelerating the flow of goods, and ensuring the stable operation of the national economy," said Liu Yuhang, director of the China Logistics Information Center.
China's logistics sector in Dec reaches new high for 2024
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
