They spoke to The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity or only publishing their surnames out of fear of reprisal. Concerns Over Job Displacement The new trend has triggered concern among couriers, food delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers, and taxi drivers—occupations that have become critical sources of urban employment in China over the past decade.In Huizhou, Guangdong Province, a resident surnamed Peng told The Epoch Times the expansion of autonomous delivery vehicles felt like a direct threat to ordinary livelihoods. “It’s no wonder it’s getting harder to find work,” he said. “Now even courier and delivery jobs are being replaced by robots. They call it technological progress, but in reality, ordinary people don’t have money—how are they supposed to live?” Autonomous delivery vehicles have been gradually deployed across China in recent years, entering sectors including courier logistics, supermarket distribution, industrial park deliveries, and rural shipping. Policy Push and Pressure on Employment A Chinese economist told The Epoch Times the expansion reflects broader state-backed efforts to promote AI and automation industries as part of China’s long-term economic strategy.He said the regime’s support for AI-driven logistics is tied to ambitions to expand exports of advanced manufacturing and digital systems. “The regime wants to showcase Chinese manufacturing with technological content,” the economist said. “It used to be high-speed rail and shipbuilding; now it’s moving into consumer-facing industries. It may not benefit ordinary people in the short term, but it serves strategic goals.” He said that the international rollout of Chinese autonomous systems could also reshape global labor markets, particularly in Europe, by undercutting local industries. The rise of autonomous logistics comes amid broader concerns about employment pressure in China’s labor-intensive sectors. In manufacturing hubs such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Guangdong provinces, factories have increasingly turned to automation by deploying robotic arms and automated production