In the streets and alleys of bustling cities and towns in China, deliverymen clad in various uniforms can be seen everywhere. Driving a motorcycle with a box full of parcels on the back, they deliver convenience and goods into people's lives with their racing wheels.

Wang Yong, manager of SF Express Jianghan Branch in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province, is one of them.

In 2014, China's express delivery service handled more than 10 billion parcels. Wang entered the express delivery industry in that year. "I was 30 years old at that time, and when I was looking for a job, I thought that express delivery could be a good option," Wang said.

Over the past decade, he has seen the rapid development of the express delivery industry in China. In 2024, the industry handled more than 175 billion parcels, a 21.5-percent year-on-year increase.

"Since I started in this sector, I have experienced all the ups and downs. So I really believe those who can persevere in this industry are exceptionally resilient," he said.

In 2020, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wang volunteered as a "full-time driver" for medical staff at the Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital. He organized a fleet of two to three dozen people to address the transportation needs of medical personnel.

He was presented Touching China Award 2020 in recognition of his unselfish commitment. The award is presented annually to honor the country's most inspiring role models from various backgrounds. Wang humbly responded, "I simply followed my heart and did what I felt was right."

Starting as a frontline deliveryman, Wang has grown into the manager of the Jianghan branch of SF Express, and was elected as a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in 2023.

"With a stronger sense of mission, I always think about how to better leverage my strengths to provide good suggestions at the NPC annual sessions to make the express delivery industry better," he said.

Wang Yong, manager of SF Express Jianghan Branch in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province, and a deputy to the National People's Congress (front row, first R), visits frontline deliverymen. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

He is acutely aware that for most of the deliverymen, the income from delivering a package is not much. Any unexpected event can make life extremely difficult for their families.

Therefore, Wang submitted a suggestion that all deliverymen nationwide should be provided with personal accident insurance to the NPC session in 2024. His suggestion was accepted by relevant authorities and implemented in various regions across the country.

The Government Work Report delivered at the NPC session in 2025 emphasized enhancing protection for workers in flexible employment and the new types of jobs. It also highlighted the expansion of the occupational injury insurance pilot programs.

Wang, speaking at a group discussion during the NPC session, expressed his appreciation for the attention given by the central government to rights protection of these workers, including deliverymen, truck drivers, warehouse managers and customer service personnel, and expressed his hope for the swift implementation of relevant policies.

To improve the working conditions of deliverymen in urban areas, Wang suggested that delivery vehicles could be categorized as special vehicles in cities, subject to standardized and unified management, to ensure better delivery services.

Wang also emphasized the need for express delivery companies to allocate workloads reasonably to allow deliverymen to have adequate time for rest, and pay more attention to their mental health.

"Express delivery connects countless households. We must ensure that it delivers parcels with speed and kindness," Wang said.

Zhou Yudong contributed to this story.