Automated sorting lines are in operation at a logistics center in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Wechat ID: zhelijinhua]

Known as the "world's supermarket", the county-level city of Yiwu in Jinhua, East China's Zhejiang province, continued to lead the nation's express deliveries volumes in the first half of 2025.

According to the State Post Bureau, Yiwu handled over 8.92 billion express parcels during the period, an 11 percent year-on-year increase.

It's a performance that's been boosted by consistent investment in new and innovative infrastructure. At the unloading area of SF Express's Jindong Transit Center in Jinhua, a new six-section telescopic unloader has been put into use.

"Compared to the five-section unloader, the new unloader can reach the deepest end of a 21-meter container truck, reducing labor intensity and cutting the unloading time from 1.5 hours to 40 minutes," said Wang Hejun, the center's manager.

He added that of the center's 24 unloaders, one quarter has been upgraded to the new model, meeting current operational needs.

Courier companies in Jinhua upgraded nearly 500 units of sorting machines, security inspection devices, and delivery vehicles, with total investment exceeding 120 million yuan ($16.80 million) in the first half of 2025. This supported rapid business growth, with some areas seeing increases of over 20 percent.

In addition to the telescopic unloader, a newly installed swivel wheel sorter at the SF Express's Jindong Transit Center in Jinhua has boosted sorting efficiency from 3,600 to 6,300 parcels per hour, significantly improving daily processing capacity.