Illustration: Liu Xidan/GT

China's logistics infrastructure has become pivotal in advancing the nation's "dual-circulation" development pattern, which takes the domestic market as the mainstay while allowing the domestic and international markets to reinforce each other. Its high accessibility and efficiency support nationwide production, distribution and consumption, while at the same time reinforcing China's links to international trade.

China's rural logistics system has increasingly improved. Since 2022, a total of 1,285 county-level logistics centers and 1,457 township express delivery stations have been built or upgraded. The coverage of express delivery services in villages has reached 95 percent, CCTV news reported on Saturday. This expansion represents the world's largest county-town-village logistics network and it is unlocking the purchasing power of hundreds of millions of rural consumers.

Rural consumption, which has historically lagged behind urban spending, is increasingly recognized as a major growth driver for China's consumer market, providing additional support for the "dual circulation" development pattern at a time when the international demand is volatile and uncertain. It also presents opportunities for foreign enterprises.

In the first half of the year, retail sales in rural areas stood at 3.24 trillion yuan ($452 billion). The per capita disposable income of rural households was 11,936 yuan, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Consumption patterns kept upgrading and overall rural purchasing power was released in a steady and sustainable way.

As a result, this rural logistics expansion not only strengthens internal circulation but also creates opportunities for foreign enterprises seeking to access China's vast consumer market. Companies across e-commerce, consumer goods can now reach countryside with unprecedented efficiency, greatly supporting domestic market growth amid international demand fluctuations.

China's logistics strength rests on its unparalleled scale, world-class infrastructure, and rapid digital innovation, positioning the country at the heart of global trade flows. This robust network underpins China's role in international supply chains and reinforces its "dual circulation" development pattern, providing resilience against external demand fluctuations and the headwinds of rising protectionism.

As rural logistics expands, hundreds of millions of consumers gain access to goods and services, boosting domestic consumption. At the same time, digital innovation and smart logistics strengthen supply chain resilience, helping the nation navigate uncertainties in international markets and rising protectionism.

In recent years, amid the broader trends of the high-quality development of rural e-commerce and the digitalization of logistics networks in China, local economies have been better able to leverage their unique characteristics and advantages. Through efficient digital economy platforms and logistics networks, they are participating in new opportunities to "buy globally" and "sell globally," attracting foreign investment and providing new growth prospects for overseas enterprises.

For instance, Southwest China's Guizhou Province has established economic and trade relations with more than 200 countries and regions and set up more than 3,300 foreign-invested enterprises, the Guizhou Daily reported in November. Foreign enterprises are participating in local logistics construction projects as well as feed and food and beverage processing in rural areas.

According to media reports in March, auto parts produced at Geely Automobile's Guiyang manufacturing base can be shipped directly from the Guiyang International Land Port to Minsk, Belarus and then assembled at Geely factories for distribution to surrounding countries.

China faces both opportunities and challenges. Continued investment in green logistics, including low-emission transport and energy-efficient warehouses, will be crucial to sustainable growth. Further strengthening regional connectivity can further unlock internal market potential. 

Meanwhile, global trade volatility require adaptive strategies to maintain seamless international supply chains. By addressing these challenges, China can fully leverage its logistics network to sustain the "dual-circulation" pattern, ensuring economic resilience, balanced growth and long-term global competitiveness.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn