THE opening of China's express package delivery sector to foreign companies has created stiff competition among world leaders UPS, DHL, FedEx and TNT, with the rivals battling to expand networks and retail sales channels on the mainland.

Express delivery giants have been busily expanding their airfreight networks by introducing additional flights between China and the US and starting more direct services to Europe from China.

FedEx in China is teaming up with Kodak to launch a FedEx self-delivery service counter in the Kodak shops nationwide. UPS has, meanwhile, launched two retail sales stores in Shanghai to improve its service in the mainland financial services centre, a report by Logistics Week said.

Soon after UPS moved to corner the market, DHL announced the creation of its hi-tech shipping tool, DHL Connect, and an integrated express delivery information management solution called DHL XML-PI.

The report pointed to experts saying success hinges on developing networks to bring their service offerings closer to their customers in the world's most populous nation, the report added.