China’s General Post Office under the Ministry of Transport granted four companies licences for engaging in international express services on 5 January. They include CAAC Air Express and Sinotrans Air Express. Earlier, the Post Office in Tianjin and Shandong issued 13 licenses for the express business. The license typically lasts for a period of five years.

The licensing law took effect on 1 October last year. So far, 131 applications have been lodged, involving nearly 500 outlets in the country.