China's logistics sector showed renewed momentum in March, with activity rebounding across key industries and the official index returning to the expansion territory, according to data released on Thursday.
The Logistics Prosperity Index, published by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, rose to 51.5 percent in March, up 2.2 percentage points from February. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, marking the sector’s return to growth following a seasonal dip during the Spring Festival period.
The rebound was broad-based, with all major sub-indices improving. Rail, waterway, air transport, and courier services saw particularly strong increases, reflecting the rise in demand across both infrastructure-heavy and consumer-facing sectors.
Consumer spending showed continued momentum across both online and offline channels, driving a sharp rise in demand for last-mile delivery in urban areas. The business volume index for postal and express services climbed to 68.2 percent in March, up 1.9 percentage points from the previous month. Air cargo volumes also increased, supported by improved utilization of bellyhold space -- the freight-carrying compartment beneath the passenger cabin.
Forward-looking indicators also pointed to rising optimism. The business activity expectation index climbed to 55.2 percent in March, up 0.8 percentage points from February. Sectors such as air transport and express delivery remained in a high prosperity range, underlining expectations of sustained growth.
"The performance of the Logistics Prosperity Index shows that since early March, China's economy has continued to recover and gain momentum. Production across various industries has been resuming in an orderly manner, supply chain coordination becoming smoother, and overall logistics efficiency improved," said Liu Yuhang, director of the China Logistics Information Center.
China’s logistics index returns to expansion as demand rebounds in March
China’s logistics index returns to expansion as demand rebounds in March
China's natural gas production is projected to reach 300 billion cubic meters by 2030, according to a development report released in Beijing.
The report, covering the development of China's oil and gas industry during the country's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), said proven geological reserves rose by 7 billion tons of oil and 7 trillion cubic meters of gas, up 43 percent and 40 percent respectively from the previous five-year period. Oil and gas production hit record highs.
"The oil output is likely to reach between 215 and 216 million tons this year. Natural gas has seen major growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), with annual domestic output rising by nearly 13 billion cubic meters. In the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), we expect annual increases of more than 10 billion cubic meters, reaching 300 billion cubic meters around 2030," said Wu Mouyuan, deputy director of the Economics and Technology Research Institute of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).
The report forecast that China's energy structure will feature less coal, stable oil and gas, and rising non-fossil fuels over the next decade.
By 2060, fossil fuels are expected to account for 23 percent of the energy mix, hydropower and nuclear 19 percent, wind 25 percent, and solar 30 percent, the report said.
"In the next five years, through the integrated development of fossil energy and renewables, we will achieve a heathy, stable, and resilient energy system. Clean energy will continue to grow rapidly. More than 90 percent of renewable energy will be consumed via electricity, so the electrification at end-use sectors is a key direction of transformation in the future," said Wu.
With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and new high-energy industries, China's power demand will exceed 20 trillion kilowatt hours by 2060, double the 2025 level. Electrification at end-use sectors is expected to reach 62 percent, rising by nearly one percentage point annually, the report projected.
China to see gas output hitting 300 bcm by 2030: report
