Chinese logistics giant YTO Express is speeding up cross-border shipping in Kazakhstan's Almaty, laying the groundwork as a regional hub to connect Central Asia to the rest of the world.
As Chinese e-commerce continues to expand globally, fast and reliable delivery has become the new frontier.
YTO Express entered Kazakhstan in June last year. For deliveryman Alisher, who previously studied in China, the company's arrival has provided him with an exciting opportunity. Since joining YTO six months ago, he has been handling up to 80 deliveries daily.
When studying in China, he often shopped online using e-commerce platforms like Alibaba's Taobao and learned how convenient their services can be.
"So when I saw YTO in Kazakhstan for the first time, I was very happy, [switch to English] I was shocked. I think I have a future at this company," he said.
In Almaty, the company's arrival has changed the game through speed, especially for those who love Chinese products.
YTO not only provides numerous job opportunities for the local community but also helps consumers acquire what they need more easily, according to Gulina, station manager at Almaty Flagship Express.
"My friends in Kazakhstan can now buy Chinese products through YTO. It feels great to help connect our two countries. I'm proud of what I do," said Gulina.
However, YTO's Central Asia journey is just the first step toward a global express hub.
"As we say: 'To get rich, build roads first.' Our Almaty 'Sky hub' project is the first step in our global strategy. Over the next decade, we plan to build seven major logistics hubs in the Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. We believe it's our mission to support Chinese enterprises going global by laying the infrastructure first. With strong logistics, businesses can go further, and grow stronger," said Hu Ruiqi, general manager for the Central Asia region at YTO International.
YTO Express powers cross-border delivery in Kazakhstan
A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday slammed Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te over his latest remarks on cross-Strait relations, accusing him of promoting secessionism and escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said in a press release that Lai's speech marking his second anniversary in office was "filled with lies and deception, hostility and confrontation."
Chen accused Lai of stubbornly adhering to a secessionist stance in pursuit of "Taiwan independence," while exaggerating the so-called threats from the mainland and intensifying confrontation across the Strait.
Lai played an old trick of advocating the secessionist agenda on one hand and, on the other, calling insincerely for dialogue and exchanges with the mainland, attempting to mislead people in Taiwan and deceive the international community, he said.
Chen said that these common tricks have been seen through by more and more Taiwanese people. Their deceptive and provocative actions will be met with firm opposition from compatriots on both sides and the international community, and are doomed to fail.
Reaffirming the mainland's position on the Taiwan question, Chen said Taiwan has never been a country, is not one now, and will never become one in the future.
He described the Taiwan question as a historical issue left over from a Chinese civil war in the 1940s.
No election result in Taiwan could alter the fact that Taiwan is part of China or sever the historical and legal bonds linking the two sides of the Strait, according to Chen.
The mainland would never allow any person or force to pursue secessionist activities under any pretext, he added.
Calling secessionists "the chief culprit" who undermines cross-Strait peace, Chen said the mainland would continue to uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, unite broadly with Taiwan compatriots, combat secessionist activities, and safeguard peace and stability across the Strait.
Central government spokesperson refutes Lai Ching-te's latest remarks, warns against secessionist moves
