BEIJING - China's postal sector has gained momentum in rural areas with wider service accessibility amid the country's poverty alleviation efforts.

From January to August, parcels handled in rural areas hit 20 billion, surpassing the total volume of 15 billion pieces in 2019, Ma Junsheng, head of the State Post Bureau, said Monday.

Every township across the country has established post offices and 97 percent of them have express delivery service outlets, Ma said.

With the postal network reaching the village level, all administrative villages are now covered by direct postal services, according to Ma.

The postal sector has become a new channel for introducing industrial products to rural areas while promoting farm produce to urban markets. This sector has also emerged as a driving force to boost employment among poor laborers and increase the income of farmers.