Snail mail goes electronic

From computer to post office, a new service to be launched by China Post later this month will make communication much easier for many Chinese.

In Beijing yesterday, China Post announced the new service which integrates Internet technology with the traditional mail service, making it faster for connected people to send messages to those who are not.

The national postal service will offer clients a pre-paid card, with which they can send mail, similar to sending e-mail, via special-use mail software they buy and install on their computers. A machine in a post office near their addressee will automatically receive, print and seal the letter before mailing it to the receiver.

Officials with China Post noted that only Australia and Indonesia had offered this service, while the United States and Japan were planning to launch it.

Starting from Sept. 28, the service, which offers the advantages of high speed, safety and efficiency, will better serve the needs of companies as well as individuals.

China Post has had the service on trial since last November in 18 municipalities, provinces and autonomous regions across China.