For the past five years, Liao Zemeng has worked diligently as she has evolved from a part-time delivery worker to an experienced, full-time professional in China's delivery-service sector.
In 2022, a women's federation was established especially for new employment groups in Shidaitianjie, a compound located in Yuzhong District, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Liao was elected a member of the federation's executive committee.
"I like to post videos I have taken, and which record my daily work, on the Internet. By doing so, I hope to share with netizens that we should show our gratitude to the great era in which we are living. As long as we are brave enough to pursue our dreams, we can fulfill our value and shine in whatever posts we are working," Liao says.
Liao has a tight daily schedule; she rides her delivery motorcycle 60-plus kilometers as she completes about 40 deliveries. However, becoming a full-time delivery worker was not her original career goal.
More than six years ago, Liao moved from her home, in northwestern Chongqing's Hechuan District, to downtown Chongqing to find a job. She found a job at a cafe, and she took floral-arrangement classes. "At that time, I concentrated on making coffee and floral designs during the daytime. In the evening, I was curious about those delivery workers, who moved around busily on the streets. I thought it might be a good idea to join them, and to help bring various foods and/or goods to customers," Liao recalls. At a friend's suggestion, Liao became a part-time delivery rider in 2019. One year later, she chose to become a full-time delivery worker. That began her new career path.
"Is it tiring and hard being a delivery worker?" Liao is often asked. Her answer? "Of course it's hard! Given the terrain conditions of Chongqing, with steep and narrow roads winding up and down, it is extremely exhausting to complete deliveries quickly. But, still, I am willing to persist in this career," Liao explains.
"Once, I was caught in heavy rain on my way to deliver a food order. I arrived at the client's home, but time delayed. I was ready for her complaint. However, the client, a mother, said to her child: 'Say thanks to this auntie, because she brings food to us despite the rain.' I suddenly realized being a delivery worker means bringing warmth and love to people who are in need," Liao recalls.
In recent years, Liao has shared her delivery-related stories on her social-media account, on Douyin (one of the popular short-video platforms in China). She smiles a lot in her videos. In her opinion, ordering fast-delivery service has become commonplace in the lives of virtually everyone living in China today. Many of her clients include notes, such as "no need to hurry and be safe on the way," with their orders.
On extremely hot days, some clients prepare drinks and tissues in advance, so they can give them to Liao after she arrives. On cold winter days, some clients give her patches she can paste on her body to keep warm. Liao has witnessed more and more people showing their respect and care to delivery workers. She is moved by the heart-warming messages left on her social-media account.
Since 2022, when she was elected an executive committee member of the women's federation for new employment groups, in Shidaitianjie, Liao has done her part to provide support to women who wanted to work in the fast-delivery sector. "I have established a WeChat group, entitled 'blue rose,' through which I help other women to become delivery workers. Some of the members are housewives, and some are quite young. I feel so proud when I learn they are doing well in receiving regular orders," Liao says.
Liao has received several honors, including National March 8th Red-Banner Holder, National May 1 Woman Pacesetter, National May 1 Labor Medal, and Good Samaritan of Chongqing. "Being a delivery rider has enabled me to fulfill my value in society. I would like to share my experiences with more people, to help them better recognize the significance of delivery workers. In particular, I hope to attract women who want to join in this career. At whatever posts we are working, we must gain happiness through diligence and hard work," Liao concludes.
Photos from Interviewee and Chongqing Women's Federation
(Women of China English Monthly January 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
