China's same-day delivery market is projected to reach USD 32.99 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 8.27% to reach USD 49.08 billion by 20301. This explosive growth is driven by fierce competition between e-commerce giants who have transformed consumer expectations-Chinese customers now expect deliveries to be not just free but incredibly fast. In major cities, services have evolved from same-day to half-day and even 30-minute deliveries, with Alibaba's Cainiao promising delivery before 9pm for orders placed before noon23.

The battle for delivery supremacy features distinct competitive advantages: JD.com leverages its proprietary logistics network for speed advantages, Alibaba utilizes its cloud data technology to integrate existing logistics companies, while Meituan leads in food delivery but has expanded to 30-minute delivery of non-food items including electronics45. This competition has created one of the world's most advanced delivery ecosystems, with China delivering nearly 100 parcels per person annually-far outpacing both India and the United States6. The result is a market where consumers increasingly expect instant gratification, with 25% of shoppers considering abandoning purchases if same-day delivery isn't available7.

Cainiao, Alibaba's logistics arm, is aggressively expanding its global footprint beyond China's borders with ambitious delivery promises and strategic infrastructure investments. The company has pledged to deliver global parcels within five working days1, a significant improvement over traditional cross-border shipping times of 30-60 days2. This expansion includes local express delivery services now operating in 10 countries and regions worldwide, with competitive pricing such as next-day delivery in Europe for just €2 and three-day delivery to other European countries for €3-52.

To support this global network, Cainiao is constructing a second batch of global e-commerce logistics hubs (e-Hubs) in strategic locations3, operates over 800,000 square meters of overseas warehouses across 18 countries1, and is establishing new sorting centers in Singapore and Malaysia4. The company's international business has become its largest growth driver, with revenue growth rates of 30% and 16% in the first two fiscal quarters of 20245. Cainiao's strategy includes diversifying beyond Alibaba's ecosystem by serving external clients like JD.com and Temu5, while leveraging cutting-edge technologies including AI and autonomous vehicles-with plans to deploy over 200,000 unmanned delivery vehicles in the next three to five years1.

JD.com dramatically entered China's food delivery market in February 2025, challenging the established duopoly of Meituan (65% market share) and Alibaba's Ele.me (33%)12. This aggressive move isn't merely about food-it's a strategic defense against competitors encroaching on JD's traditional e-commerce territory through instant retail services3. The company is making substantial investments, including pledging 10 billion yuan ($1.8 billion) in subsidies, waiving commission fees for early merchants, and announcing plans to hire 100,000 full-time delivery riders with full benefits456.

The strategy appears to be gaining traction, with JD Takeaway reaching 5 million daily orders by mid-April 2025, just three weeks after hitting the 1 million mark6. However, analysts question the sustainability of this cash-burning approach, with JPMorgan estimating it could generate up to 18 billion yuan ($3.2 billion) in annualized losses-potentially wiping out 36% of JD.com's 2025 operating profit7. While previous challengers to Meituan's dominance have failed, JD.com's extensive logistics network and experience with instant delivery of non-food items make it a more formidable competitor in the battle for China's trillion-yuan food delivery market28.