Smart technology-aided delivery aiding China's online shoppers

China is solving one of the biggest challenges in package delivery — the final step to your doorstep, often called the "last mile" — through smart technology that is making services faster and more convenient.

New data shows that smart parcel lockers and neighborhood service stations now handle more than half of all deliveries in China, according to a report released on Thursday at a national delivery industry conference in Beijing.

The numbers reveal a significant shift: 55 percent of local delivery outlets now primarily use these smart solutions instead of relying solely on a traditional door-to-door service. The findings are taken from a major survey of more than 35,000 people across the delivery industry.

"What's most important is that everyone in delivery services is focusing on what customers really need," said Zhang Ping, the expert who led the research.

"Whether you're in a city apartment or a rural village, the goal is to make receiving packages as easy as possible."

Smart parcel lockers have become especially important in this transformation. Companies like Fengchao have placed these electronic cabinets in housing communities across the country. While package delivery remains their main business, the high traffic has allowed them to expand into additional services like laundry collection.

The improvements are particularly noticeable in rural areas. Thanks to a national effort, 78 percent of Chinese villages now have package service stations, ensuring rural residents can enjoy the same delivery convenience as city dwellers.

"New technologies are making the difference," said Liao Jinrong, deputy head of the State Post Bureau of China.

"We're seeing more use of drones and delivery robots, especially in areas that are harder to serve."

China's delivery industry has grown tremendously in recent years, becoming one of the most advanced in the world. The annual "last mile" conference, which first took place in 2015, brings together experts to find new ways to make package delivery more efficient for China's hundreds of millions of online shoppers.