This conceptual research aims to explore the role of the Chinese government, acting as both a primary and secondary stakeholder, in fostering innovations within the logistics and distribution industry to help companies navigate challenges. Utilising stakeholder salience theory, the study presents multiple propositions to elucidate the government's influence, which can be direct or indirect, on this industry. Additionally, we address the changes in government's influence that have occurred in the post-pandemic era. Theoretically, this study fills a significant gap in existing literature by integrating perspectives on logistics, government, and policy, offering novel insights for future studies. Practically, the findings are instrumental for local and foreign companies operating in China's unique socio-political landscape, emphasising the need for heightened awareness of government influence as a critical factor for success.