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
France is sweltering through its second heatwave of the year, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in some areas and 61 departments placed on high alert, as the government warned of prolonged hot conditions and potential economic impacts.
President Emmanuel Macron called for public vigilance as the extreme heat gripped much of the country. The central bank chief has cautioned that the prolonged heatwave could weigh on national economic growth due to the wider impact of disasters.
People across France have been doing whatever they can to cool down. In Paris, the areas around the Canal Saint Martin were packed as authorities opened parts of the waterway for swimming, offering residents a rare chance to escape the blistering heat.
"We came here to the river to get some swim. It's just so hot out there. It's terrible to sleep at night. But you just got to deal with it," said one resident.
"I think I'm just using the same techniques as everyone else. Keep your shutters down, your windows closed. There's lots of water points all over Paris so people are encouraged to use them. Go to work if you have AC or go to the gym. There's always places where they have AC. So just keeping close, staying in really,"another resident said.
Drones have been deployed to monitor waterways where swimming is not permitted, and water restrictions have been imposed in about 50 departments. The Ministry of Health has activated a heatwave hotline, schools have been closed, exams rescheduled, and some metro trains without air conditioning have been pulled from service.
Four nuclear power plants are expected to curb output in the coming days due to unusually warm river water used for cooling, authorities said.
The annual music celebration, the Fete de la Musique, scheduled for Sunday, has been cancelled in some areas as temperatures continue to climb. French authorities are urging people to take precautions now, fearing the worst of the heatwave is yet to come.
France bakes in heatwave as temperatures soar past 40 degrees Celsius
