The Ministry of Transport recently issued a guideline to promote the intensified, intelligent and standardized development of the logistics industry, and make efforts to reduce costs, and enhance efficiency of the industry, injecting new vitality to the Chinese economy.

The guideline made clear the targets and measures in achieving the development of the logistics industry. By 2020, a transportation and logistics services system will be completed, which will support the construction of 150 transportation hubs and 3,000-kilometer railway and highway lines connecting with key ports.

In logistics facility networks, the guideline plans to further improve the grand channels for logistics, with a focus on expansion and modification of heavy-traffic roads, and improving the conditions for logistics facilities in cross-region channels.

Also, it pledged to improve services at transportation hubs, support the construction of logistics parks with multiple functions, and strengthen the construction of a transportation system for key ports and large-scale logistics parks.

The ministry also plans to construct a national big data center in logistics, promote sharing and using logistics-related information, and encouraging the application of advanced information technology.

In the sectors of express delivery and cold chain, it supports the development of logistics enterprises based on the integration of online and offline services. Also, it promotes the transformation of traditional transportation enterprises to modern logistics enterprises.

The guideline also called for enhancing the operation of chains in the transportation network, by means of developing multi-modal transport, improving the network for rural logistics services, and promoting the integrated development of regional transportation and logistics.

A matching and coordinated standard system is also needed through reinforced efforts in streamlining administration and delegating power, improving law enforcement in management and supervision of tolls for roads, railways, ports and airports. It also urged improving the credit system for logistics markets and the policy of replacing the business tax with a value-added tax, creating an orderly market environment.