Digital consumption drives industrial transformation, cross-border e-commerce accelerates

China's e-commerce market has rapidly expanded, with online retail sales up 7.2% in 2024, keeping China the world's largest e-commerce market for 12 consecutive years. The focus for 2025 is fostering a better e-commerce ecosystem, boosting digital consumption, and aiding industrial transformation. Cross-border e-commerce is emerging as a vital force in global trade.

In Guangzhou, drones deliver cross-border e-commerce imports from a bonded zone to retail stores in just 3 minutes, exemplifying the fusion of low-altitude economy and cross-border e-commerce. This "front-store, back-warehouse" model allows consumers to order online for quick drone delivery, enhancing the shopping experience.

Huangpu Customs has optimized logistics for this, increasing drone deliveries and import values. Recent government measures aim to further streamline air cargo clearance, supporting cross-border e-commerce growth.

Shanghai sees cross-border e-commerce goods, like crafts and apparel, exported via airports, leveraging the efficient 9610 model for fast, low-cost delivery to overseas consumers. This contributed to a significant rise in export volumes.

Experts view cross-border e-commerce, especially combined with industrial clusters, as a key driver for China's foreign trade. With ongoing innovations in pilot zones, overseas warehouse development, and digital transformation, the sector is expected to maintain high growth in 2025, further stabilizing China's foreign trade.