China is stepping up its efforts to develop its logistics industry, as the government announced its goal of building a modern national logistics service system by 2020. A State Council executive meeting in June, chaired by Premier Li Keqiang, approved a plan to develop the logistics industry in the middle and long term The move aims to lower the operational costs of logistics enterprises and improve logistics infrastructure networks, as well as to develop large-scale companies to improve the industrial chain. A total of 12 logistics issues, including services for agriculture, manufacturing, the industrial material supply chain and recycling materials, will become priorities. The government has announced it will crack down on illegal charges and regional protectionism to create a fair market environment. It also promised to ensure land supplies for building logistics service facilities such as warehouses and package sorting centers and to introduce preferential financial policies for the sector. It was also decided at the meeting of the State Council to further build up an economic belt along the Yangtze river to underpin China’s sustainable economic development, the China Daily reports.