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As we know, transport and logistics are connected to production on one end and consumption on the other end. What has been the overall situation of the work to ensure smooth logistics since April last year? What measures will be taken next to accelerate efforts to foster a new development pattern? Thanks.

Li Xiaopeng:

Thank you for your question about keeping logistics services smooth. You are correct in stating transportation and logistics connect both production and consumption. It is an important foundation for safeguarding the normal order of people's life and production, promoting the stability of industrial and supply chains, and supporting economic and social reform, development and stability. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council have attached great importance to the work on maintaining smooth transportation and logistics. General Secretary Xi Jinping has made important instructions to ensure smooth transportation and logistics. The MOT has conscientiously implemented the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and, in accordance with the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, set up the leading group for ensuring smooth logistics together with relevant departments. All localities have also established working mechanisms led by local authorities to ensure smooth logistics, strengthen overall planning and management, closely link supply with demand, and provide follow-up services. We have carried out a series of measures such as on-duty shifts, one-to-one coordination, and dealing with cases without delays. With joint efforts, we have achieved phased results in ensuring smooth transportation and logistics.

First, we have maintained the smooth flow on major arterial roads and ensured the unimpeded microcirculation in transportation. The expressway toll stations and service areas that were temporarily closed have all been opened. Epidemic prevention checkpoints temporarily set up on roads, waterways and locks in various localities were all closed. Meanwhile, delivery distribution centers and outlets above the county level that had been shut down nationwide have all resumed services. Stations, airports, ports, and docks are operating normally.

Second, transportation and logistics operations have returned to normal. In 2022, the country's total commercial freight volume increased by 8.2% over 2019. During the Spring Festival travel rush this year, the average daily freight volume of railways, the average daily freight flow of expressways, and the average daily cargo throughput of monitored ports all increased by more than 20% over 2019. The average number of flights confirmed by civil aviation each day returned to about 80% of that in 2019. Average daily postal delivery services increased by 159.4% compared with 2019. These figures fully demonstrate that transportation and logistics operations have returned to normal.

Third, we have maintained the smooth and orderly transportation of key goods and materials. We have strengthened cooperation with key enterprises to ensure supplies regarding energy, food, people's livelihoods, foreign trade, agricultural materials and machines, medical equipment and other key goods, providing strong support for the smooth operation of the economy and society.

Such achievements could not be made without the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the joint efforts of all member units of the leading group, and the working mechanisms of all localities. Moreover, they are attributed to the commitment and dedication of the frontline staff. Especially, media outlets including CCTV, Xinhua News Agency and People's Daily have taken the initiative to follow up our work and continuously cover related news, which has played an important role in guiding social expectations and creating a good atmosphere.

Although we have made some achievements, the situation we face in both domestic and international logistics is still severe and complicated. In the next step, we will implement the important instructions of the general secretary and fully leverage the role of the State Council's leading group for ensuring smooth logistics and its office to help build new development patterns, consolidate existing outcomes, mobilize forces in all areas, and ensure smooth transportation and logistics.

First, we need to maintain a smooth transportation network. It is necessary to have a 24-hour on-duty mechanism to strengthen the supervision of case transfer and coordination, arrange key logistics channels in time, and prevent prolonged, large-scale disruption and suspension of services.

Second, it is necessary to ensure the transportation of important goods. We need to better link supply with demand, strengthen overall planning and management, and improve emergency transportation capacity and emergency plans to safeguard the efficient and smooth transportation of key goods and promote unimpeded economic circulation. In particular, we should focus on energy, food, medical supplies and key livelihood supplies.

Third, it is necessary to safeguard smooth operation. We need to strengthen dispatching and operation monitoring, analyze problems in time, and ensure the safety and stability of transportation and logistics.

Fourth, maintaining smooth operation at the end of the logistics process is also essential. We need to improve the service network of the end distribution of urban and rural logistics, make every effort to open the last mile of goods transportation between urban and rural areas, facilitate economic circulation between urban and rural areas, and ensure production and people's regular lives.

Fifth, we need to safeguard international logistics. To ensure the smooth flow of international logistics supply chains, we should foster modern logistics enterprises with international competitiveness and strive to build an open, safe and reliable international logistics supply chain that is shared by the whole world.

All in all, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we will continue our efforts to ensure smooth transportation and logistics and provide strong support for economic circulation and development. Thank you.