Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is extending its deep-seated rivalry with Meituan to Saudi Arabia, launching a self-operated courier service in the country as it extends its footprint in the Middle East.

On Wednesday, JD.com’s logistics arm JD Logistics announced the launch of JoyExpress, a business-to-consumer express delivery service that covers most of the 13 provinces in the Middle Eastern country, according to a statement.

JoyExpress provides expedited same-day and next-day delivery services for local e-commerce platforms, as well as online and offline merchants. It also delivers end-to-end logistics and supply chain solutions, including cross-border shipping and customs clearance, to facilitate global trade.

JD Logistics said it was building a wider local logistics network with warehouses, sorting centres, and delivery stations, supported by an in-house team of couriers, drivers, warehouse staff, and customer service personnel to strengthen its courier service.

“We look forward to expanding JoyExpress across the Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia], bringing our industry-leading large-item delivery and installation capabilities to the market,” Charlie Peng, Jingdong Logistics’ Middle East market head, said in the statement. He added that the move marked “a key milestone” in JD.com’s international expansion in Saudi Arabia.