Xiao Shuixian

As dawn light gently wakes a city's streets and alleys, millions of food delivery riders set off on their electric bicycles, weaving through the urban landscape. They are not only the vital link connecting hundreds of millions of consumers with numerous merchants, but also the most perceptive "mobile sensors" in urban governance. In the broader drive to advance the modernization of China's governance system and capacity, how to transform this emerging workforce from "urban passersby" into "partners in co-governance" has become a key issue — one that government authorities and platform enterprises are now exploring together.

Recently, China News Release conducted an exclusive interview with Xiao Shuixian, secretary of the Party committee of the food delivery platform Taobao Flash Sale. As a key architect of the platform's rider "Snap & Report" initiative — which encourages riders to document and report urban governance issues via photos or videos — Xiao offered an in-depth interpretation of this innovative practice, which integrates Party leadership, technological innovation, and social co-governance. He explored effective pathways for integrating emerging employment groups into grassroots governance, highlighting the responsibility and commitment of platform enterprises in empowering new business models and contributing to social governance.

Why 'Snap & Report'? — From regulatory headaches to governance breakthroughs

In recent years, China has placed growing emphasis on the role of social co-governance within its broader governance framework.

In June 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation issued guidelines to strengthen Party building among delivery workers, proposing that a group of responsible delivery riders — mainly Party members — be recruited as part-time social supervisors. These individuals are encouraged to participate in grassroots governance by reporting issues via photos or videos.

In March 2025, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council released a guideline aimed at strengthening food safety supervision across the entire supply chain, which further clarified the responsibilities of all parties involved in online food sales and promoted the formation of a social co-governance framework.

The sustained advancement of such top-level policies has provided clear direction for addressing governance challenges posed by new business models and emerging forms of employment.