Chinese-Origin Courier J&T Ventures into Global Expansion: Harnessing Cross-Border E-commerce Trend with Focus on Middle East and South America

The delivery company J&T, originating from China, is capitalizing on the growing trend of international online commerce as it broadens its reach globally. The logistics enterprise, after broadening its operations from Southeast Asia into China, is now aiming to extend its services to both the Middle East and South America.

J&T Global Express, a worldwide delivery service established in Indonesia in 2015 by Chinese businesspeople, is returning to its origins. Following the creation of its primary base in Shanghai's Qingpu district in 2019, the firm is aiming to challenge the supremacy of established local competitors in the wake of the growth of international online commerce.

J&T, a company established in Jakarta and recognized as Jitu or "speedy rabbit" in China, was founded by Jet Li Jie. Jie was previously in charge of Oppo's operations in Indonesia, a renowned smartphone manufacturer. After personally encountering the logistical difficulties in Southeast Asia, Jie decided to start his own business. In a matter of years, J&T broadened its reach to six additional countries in the area, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, ahead of its official introduction in China in 2020.

"In our pursuit to enhance our team's overall competitive edge, making our entrance into China was crucial. This is because China represents the most intensely competitive and biggest market," stated Charles Hou Junyi, J&T's vice-president, in a recent conversation with the South China Morning Post.

Situated in the western region of Shanghai, Qingpu district – where J&T has established its China headquarters – benefits from its convenient position close to the busy Hongqiao transport hub in the east, which hosts a railway station and an international airport. Towards the west, Qingpu is adjacent to the wealthy eastern coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu, interconnected by a network of highways.

The strategic geographical location has drawn significant interest from major Chinese logistic companies. ZTO Express, STO Express, YTO Express, and Yunda, referred to as the "three TOs, one Da", all have their main offices in the same district, along with several crucial sorting and distribution centers. J&T's main office is located in an industrial park just a block away from YTO, with approximately 1,800 employees.