Premier Li Keqiang's visit of SF Express and BYD during his inspection tours in Xi'an, Shaanxi province is being construed as a sign of Beijing's support for private capital's contribution to the next phase of China's change and development.
In his visit to SF Express, Premier Li rallied its workers to give their best so that they can compete globally.
"You should not only make yourselves the best in the domestic market, but you should also dare to compete on the international market. I hope your business can expand good services to your customers both within and outside China," Li said.
Li described the express delivery service industry as a twin brother of e-commerce. He commended the role that the logistics industry plays in the economy calling it the "dark horse" among fast developing new industries. SF Express, a Hong Kong registered company with headquarters in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, has been in the express delivery business since 1993.
It serves both personal and business domestic and international delivery requirements in most parts of China, as well as Hong Kong and Macao. Its service extends to international destinations like Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and the United States. During his visit, Li promised private enterprises like SF Express equal footing with state-owned enterprises.
At the BYD plant, Li rode an electric bus and said that the country will seriously push for the use of emission free vehicles using alternative forms of energy to alleviate the air and noise pollution problems in urban centers. The 12-meter long BYD electric buses which are emission free are now plying the streets of several European cities like Amsterdam, Paris and London.
According to Zhang Zhiyong, an automotive analyst in Beijing, new-energy source vehicles are not as saleable in China because of the lack of recharging facilities.
"But the central government has made policies to subsidize the building of this infrastructure and this will be a great help in promoting their use," Zhang added.