China’s logistics industry showed signs of expansion in March, supported by improved coordination across industrial supply chains and increased investment, according to data reported by China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing and cited by CCTV News. The data indicated stronger logistics activity and improving market expectations across multiple transportation and supply chain segments.
The Logistics Performance Index rose to 50.2 in March, up 2.7 percentage points from the previous month. Readings above 50 signal expansion in the sector, while levels below that threshold indicate contraction. The increase suggests that logistics operations became more active, with improvements seen across upstream and downstream segments of industrial and supply chains.
Sub-indices also recorded month-on-month gains, including total business volume, new orders, inventory turnover, capital turnover, equipment utilization, employment, and business expectations. The data points to broader operational improvements across logistics enterprises and increased efficiency in goods circulation.
According to the report, the total business volume index reached 50.2, while several transportation segments also showed growth. Railway transport rose to 54.4, air logistics increased by 3.7 percentage points, postal and express delivery climbed by 2.5 percentage points, and road transport rose by 3.1 percentage points. These improvements reflect stronger demand for logistics services across multiple modes of transportation.
Su Jian said the synchronized increase in logistics volume and expectations suggests improving supply chain efficiency. He noted that smoother circulation of goods can enhance supply-demand matching and support stable industrial production and domestic demand.
Investment indicators also improved during the period. The fixed-asset investment index for the logistics sector reached 51.4, up 0.8 percentage points from February. Meanwhile, the business activity expectations index rose to 54.2, increasing 3.2 percentage points, with many enterprises expressing optimism about future development.
Liu Yuhang said the return to expansion reflects improvement in key indicators and enhanced capabilities among logistics companies. He added that firms have strengthened digitalization efforts and integrated supply chain services, supporting steady growth during the first quarter.
The logistics data aligns with broader economic indicators. Earlier figures from the National Bureau of Statistics of China showed manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rising to 50.4 in March, up 1.4 percentage points from February, indicating continued expansion in manufacturing activity.
Analysts said improving logistics performance could support efforts to build more resilient supply chains and enhance industrial efficiency. Continued policy support for infrastructure development, digital logistics systems, and regional coordination is expected to help sustain growth momentum, particularly as China advances initiatives related to advanced manufacturing and modern industrial systems.
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