More than 2.8 billion parcels were handled across China during the three-day Qingming Festival holiday that ended Sunday, the State Post Bureau said on Monday.
Approximately 1.399 billion parcels were collected during the holiday, marking a year-on-year increase of about 17 percent, according to the bureau.
It noted that about 1.429 billion parcels were delivered, representing an increase of about 15 percent year on year.
Recently, spring tea in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province has entered its peak season for picking.
To facilitate the delivery of spring tea, several courier companies have provided customized services, which not only include collecting parcels from tea farmers, but also help them pack parcels.
"Every time these deliverymen come to our house, they help us pack the parcels and send them out very quickly. We really trust the post office. They come to collect parcels at my door every day," said Wang Peijuan, a tea farmer.
During the Qingming Festival holiday, delivery firms added additional road transportation lines and increased air transport capacity. Meanwhile, they also set up more portable delivery lockers and self-service courier stations to be more time-efficient.
"China's consumer market continues to heat up and consumption potential is being released at an accelerated pace. Via reducing circulation costs, the express delivery sector has promoted consumption upgrades and optimized its own industrial structure, contributing to regional coordination and economic resilience enhancement," said Liu Jiang, director of the Strategic Planning Research Department with State Post Bureau's Development Research Center.
Over 2.8 bln parcels handled in China during Qingming holiday
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
