The new parcel processing line in Suichang county works smoothly. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

In order to solve the difficulties of delivering parcels to rural areas and to help local agricultural products hit the city markets, Suichang county – administered by Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province – recently launched a digital village logistics center.

The aim is to create the first automated mixed parcel sorting system in China that is based on cooperation between the county's post office and multiple private logistic companies.

At present, with the support of the local government, Suichang post office has built a 2,000-square-meter standard parcel processing center, which breaks down the barriers between different logistic brands.

In rural areas, the number of express deliveries is much smaller than that in cities and the villages are scattered, which makes delivery costs very high, according to local postman Luo Lijun.

"Villagers had to come to the town to pick up their parcels," Luo said.

Now things are much improved with the center in action.

The center has 201 express sorting lines, corresponding to the 201 administrative villages in the county.

Parcels from different logistic brands but with same destinations are combined, so the courier can carry all the parcels in one ride to the corresponding village, explained Zhu Zisong, an official from the county's post office.

The courier can also help the villagers send their parcels, letters or agricultural and sideline products, Zhu added.