数百万中国人使用人人快递

A new Chinese app is allowing anyone with a cell phone to become a freelance courier. The new app, called Renren Courier, has so far provided 1.5 million people across the country with a chance to earn a little money delivering packages.

You can use your cell phone to text, check the weather, play games, or, like Wu Jia, to become a freelance courier.

A new cell phone app called "Renren Courier" now allows anyone, with a simple click, to receive requests from senders to pick up and deliver items, in exchange for a payment made on cell phone.

"This type of courier is really fast. If I pick up the item myself, I have to take a taxi and come back. The courier is faster than a taxi," Wu said.

Wu Jia's current job gives him the flexible hours he needs to moonlight as a freelance courier. And unlike other courier services, he uses public transportation.

But he says being a freelance courier is more than just delivering packages. It's also about helping people who need urgent help.

"(How many packages do you deliver each day?) Based on how much time I have, then I deliver two packages. If recipients live on my route home, I'll deliver five to six items. Being a courier has become a daily habit for me," he said.

The app he uses was created by Sichuan Chuangwu Tech., a local company with years of experience in the courier business.

To ensure things run smoothly and safely, only small items can be delivered. And the couriers are given training after having a background check.

"We have cooperated with sub-departments of the Ministry of Public Security that specialize in identity verification, to ensure documents are valid, and that couriers do not have crime records," said Huang Xuefeng, marketing manager for Renren Courier.

At the moment the app has over 1.5 million registered freelance couriers, and over five million registered users.

According to figures collected by a screen lock app, the average user checks their phone around 110 times per day, checking apps, texting, emails. It is fast and convenient, but when it comes to courier services, there are regulations in place to protect customers' rights. It is not as simple as one click.

But some experts are concerned. Professor He Yue believes there are currently many security loopholes that need to be addressed.

"The essence of logistics is security and speed. This new app is good, but we should consider how to guarantee the safety of articles being delivered. I think this might be a problem," He said. "We also need to have clear regulations on not sending products prohibited by the country."

To address these concerns, experts suggest the app should demand courier's credit card and banking information, and require them to open the packages before they deliver them, to reduce safety risks.