Picture this: 6 AM in Beijing’s bustling streets. Electric scooters hum to life as delivery personnel launch into action, powering the invisible heartbeat of urban China. This digital economy phenomenon has spawned a vital new employment sector, where riders affectionately known as ‘da ge’ (big brother) and ‘da jie’ (big sister) cater to everyday cravings of city dwellers.
They are the last-mile warriors of an enormous logistics empire, shuttling parcels from depots to homes and ferrying international wares into living rooms. China’s express delivery sector exploded last decade, logging 1.099 trillion packages annually—over 6,200 every second. This frenzy underscores the sweat of dedicated riders who make e-commerce’s promises tangible.
E-commerce’s surge positions delivery riders as crucial cogs between makers and buyers. They deliver the ‘now’ factor, spurring growth in fresh meals, pharmaceuticals, and sundry deliveries. Instant logistics fuels urban economies at a granular level, empowering mom-and-pop shops to scale, piping farm-fresh goods to tables, and honing service accuracy.
Low hurdles to entry and flexible schedules draw throngs into the fold, especially from villages, enabling urban integration and decent earnings through diligence. Food delivery and couriers are non-negotiables for users, doubly so in storms, while indispensable for small enterprises facing collapse sans this support. They form the city’s operational backbone, akin to power grids.
Ahead of 2026 Spring Festival, Xi Jinping engaged riders in Beijing, echoing his 2019 pre-festival visit where he lauded their bee-like diligence amid all weathers and holidays. His endorsements have transformed perceptions, curbing grievances and fostering admiration—even cheers in downpours.
Beyond duties, riders emerge as community guardians: aiding crises, collaborating with law enforcement, neutralizing hazards, and selflessly aiding seniors with food or waste removal. This goodwill ripples positivity, with these urban knights protecting their metropolis.