China's logistics sector is undergoing a transformative upgrade towards intelligence and technological innovation. Shenzhen, a pioneer in smart logistics, alongside industry leader JD Logistics, has become a vibrant testing ground for cutting-edge logistics technologies.
A single parcel, a city, and an era. As the vanguard of China's reform and opening-up, Shenzhen's streets are now navigated by autonomous delivery vehicles adeptly recognizing traffic signals and weaving through urban landscapes. These vehicles carry not just packages but also symbolize China's shift toward intelligent, high-quality logistics development.
On December 1, 2025, a historic milestone was quietly achieved: China's annual parcel volume surpassed 1800 billion for the first time, as monitored by the State Post Bureau. The 1800 billionth parcel, dispatched from JD Logistics' smart warehouse in Shenzhen, was transported by the "Lone Wolf" autonomous vehicle and ultimately delivered by a JD courier to Mr. Li, a Shenzhen resident.
Interestingly, Shenzhen is also the headquarters of logistics giant SF Express. So why did JD Logistics secure this milestone? The answer lies beyond coincidence—it reflects an inevitable industry shift from labor-intensive operations to intelligent-driven logistics, accelerated by tech-savvy leaders like JD Logistics.
**Decoding the 1800 Billionth Parcel: Why JD Logistics? Why Shenzhen?** Mr. Li, the recipient, had no idea his order for a smart learning device on JD.com would mark a pivotal moment in China's logistics history. "JD's delivery is incredibly fast here—I never expected to witness this milestone!" he remarked.
The parcel's journey epitomizes China's logistics evolution: processed at JD's Shenzhen smart warehouse, sorted via AI-driven systems, and transported by autonomous vehicles under the optimized routing of JD's "Super Brain 2.0." This seamless operation mirrors the pulse of China's thriving economy.
Logistics, once termed the "dark continent of the economy" by Peter F. Drucker in 1962, has evolved into a critical economic artery. From 91.9 billion parcels in 2013 to 1800 billion in 2025, China's logistics network now spans urban and rural areas globally, underpinning consumption growth and setting new records.
Shenzhen's role as an innovation hub and JD Logistics' tech prowess converged to make this milestone possible. Shenzhen leads in high-tech clusters, cross-border e-commerce, and policy-driven innovation, while JD's smart logistics—powered by 5G, IoT, and AI—ensures efficiency at scale.
**The "Wolf Pack" and "Super Brain": JD Logistics' Tech Symphony** The 1800 billionth parcel began its journey at JD's "Smart Wolf" warehouse in Shenzhen, a 20,000-square-meter facility equipped with 200 autonomous robots. These robots—part of JD's "Wolf" series (including "Flying Wolf," "Ground Wolf," and "Lone Wolf")—handle storage, sorting, and transportation with 99.99% accuracy, slashing processing times by 5–6x.
JD's "Super Brain" AI orchestrates this ecosystem, dynamically optimizing routes for drones and autonomous vehicles. During 2025's Singles' Day, this system enabled "second-level picking" across 20+ Chinese provinces and 10+ countries, boosting efficiency 3–5x.
**Redefining China's Logistics Future** JD Logistics plans to deploy 3 million robots, 1 million autonomous vehicles, and 100,000 drones in five years, aiming for the world's first fully unmanned delivery station by April 2026. Despite concerns over job displacement, JD emphasizes automation's role in creating new roles like "smart warehouse operators" and enhancing efficiency.
Beyond commerce, JD's smart logistics supports emergency responses—e.g., rapid aid delivery during Hong Kong's Tai Po fire—and empowers rural economies. Western regions like Xinjiang now enjoy same-day deliveries, while partners like infant formula giant Feihe see 40% efficiency gains.
As autonomous vehicles traverse Shenzhen, they carry more than parcels—they herald a future where speed, intelligence, and synergy redefine China's logistics heights.
Comments