Deliveryman invited to present suggestions to China’s top leadership

Deliveryman Li Pengxuan never expected that his suggestion about the country’s delivery industry could result in him being asked by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang for a talk in Zhongnanhai, the exclusive compound for top leadership.

At the symposium on Jan. 31, Li Pengxuan presented his advice regarding the draft government work report to the Premier with other representatives from all walks of life.

Li is a deliveryman in central China’s Shanxi province. Last July, he submitted his suggestion through “Share your thoughts with China’s Premier Li” on the official website of the State Council, saying he hopes the government will promote cooperation between the insurance sector and the express delivery industry.

Li’s hometown is one of the country’s best ten fruit counties, and his fellow villagers have become rich with the help of express delivery service, which helped the price of apples per 0.5 kilograms rise from 0.6 yuan to 2 yuan.

Last year, Li’s service station handled 120,000 parcels, among which 100,000 were fresh fruit parcels. But due to the vulnerability of the fruit and other issues during delivery, they have to sometimes compensate customers for damaged products.

Li said he earns 6-7,000 yuan per month, but he has to pay 3-4,000 yuan to the customers for broken parcels.

Though eager to solve the issue, Li never expected his suggestion to receive any response or to be dealt with. However, staff with the State Council website later contacted him and invited him to communicate with the Premier face-to-face in Beijing.

“Premier Li asked about my job and said we are working really hard. I was touched,” the deliveryman said.

The Premier said the country’s delivery industry is developing fast and well, and has become a very important sector to boost the domestic economy.

After hearing that Li comes from a township and works 12-13 hours a day, the Premier said the fact that the country’s delivery capacity tops the world is inseparable from grassroots deliverymen like Li.

At the symposium, Li reiterated his suggestion of promoting cooperation between the insurance sector and the express delivery industry, and proposed to implement policies, such as special travel permits for delivery vehicles.

The Premier said the government encourages and supports the development of new industries and business modes including express delivery, and has adopted measures to lower logistical costs.

“It surprised me that the Premier answered my questions one by one.” Li recalled. After answering his questions, the Premier asked government departments to follow the people-centered development concept, and work hard to guarantee smooth delivery of fresh products.

Walking out of Zhongnanhai, Li said he has more faith in the future of the country’s express delivery industry.