China to Launch PC-Letter Service

Starting November 1, computer users in China will be able to send mail -- the old-fashioned paper kind -- without ever leaving home.

With special mailing software and an electronic stamp card, the new hybrid mail (HM) service will be available 24 hours a day in 18 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, the State Post Bureau announced Thursday.

According to Wang Zhiqi, deputy director of the bureau's public service department, this PC-letter service takes advantage of advanced computer technology and allows the postal networks to serve computer users.

Wang said the service, featuring high speed and efficiency, is mainly aimed for enterprises. The standard mailing fee will be two yuan (about 0.24 U.S. dollar) and the highest is 3.5 yuan. The face value of each electronic stamp card is 50 yuan (about six dollars).

Sources said China's postal service has laid more emphasis on electronic information capabilities. It will raise the proportion of e-service income in gross postal income to more than 10 percent by 2005.

The postal service now has the largest goods delivery network in the world with over 200 distribution centers, 67,000 sales stations, 30,000-plus postal cars, 150,000 postal workers, as well as postal airliners and information and financial network.

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