- Company dismisses second major rumor in a week
- Automation and cross-border logistics remain at the center of growth plans
Alibaba’s logistics arm Cainiao has denied reports that it is preparing to disband, calling the claims “false” and “purely a rumor” as the logistics company continues to expand overseas and deepen its focus on supply-chain technology.
The statement, issued on June 15 to multiple Chinese media outlets, marks the second time in a week that Cainiao has publicly rebutted online speculation.
The company also denied earlier reports claiming its Cainiao parcel station network would be fully integrated into Taobao.
Rumors meet a swift denial
The latest clarification came after rumors of a potential breakup spread rapidly across Chinese social media, despite a series of recent expansion moves by the company.
Far from scaling back, Cainiao has made international growth a central strategic priority in 2026.
Global expansion remains the priority
In March, it announced the deployment of large-scale automated robotic warehouses in locations including Hong Kong, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France and the United States.
The company has also signed strategic partnerships with firms including FAW Jiefang, Mixue Bingcheng and Hongxing Erke, providing services such as AI-powered inventory replenishment and end-to-end warehouse management systems.
Financially, Cainiao generated 101.27 billion yuan ($15 billion) in revenue during fiscal 2025, with its cross-border logistics and technology businesses maintaining growth while losses continued to narrow.
Divestment at home
The company has nevertheless streamlined parts of its portfolio. In 2025, it transferred its stake in Zhejiang Daniao Logistics (丹鸟物流).
Earlier this year it restructured its autonomous delivery vehicle operations through a strategic partnership with robovan startup Zelostech (九识智能) under a brand-licensing and joint-operation model.
Founded in 2013, Cainiao has grown into one of China’s largest last-mile delivery networks, operating more than 40,000 community pickup stations and over 1,000 university-campus outlets nationwide.
A backbone of China’s e-commerce
Industry observers say the breakup rumors lack a clear business rationale. With both China’s domestic e-commerce market and cross-border trade continuing to expand, dismantling a logistics network spanning warehousing, transportation and last-mile fulfillment would risk disrupting a critical layer of the country’s online retail infrastructure.
Instead, recent developments suggest Cainiao is concentrating resources around international logistics, automation and supply-chain technology as it seeks new growth avenues beyond traditional parcel delivery, analysts say.
