BEIJING, May 7 -- China's courier sector registered expansion in April, a monthly industry index showed Sunday.

The monthly express delivery development index came in at 356.4 in April, up 47.7 percent year on year, according to the State Post Bureau.

The sub-index for the development scale grew 35.1 percent from a year earlier, the sub-index for development capacity picked up 25 percent year on year and the sub-index for development trend went up 18.1 percent year on year.

The monthly volume of parcels delivered is estimated to have gained 37 percent, while the express delivery revenue is expected to have climbed 31 percent in April.

Compiled on the basis of data from major logistics firms' operating delivery services, the development index reflects the overall business activities and trends in the country's courier sector.