Based on the space of flows theory, this study adopts China Smart Logistics Network big data to build China's e-commerce express logistics network, and explores the spatial structure characteristics of the e-commerce express logistics network, summarizes the regularity of the express logistics flows, finally reveals the formation mechanism of the network through complex network analysis, machine learning algorithms and other methods. The results are as follows: From the node dimension,the spatial inequality characteristics of the importance of e-commerce express logistics in Chinese cities are significant. Taking Heihe-Tengchong Line(Hu Line) as the boundary, the most important cities in the network are distributed within the four major urban agglomerations east of the boundary. The results based on random forest method show that express logistics export-oriented cities form the "e-commerce express logistics export belt" in the southeast coast. Macau and Taiwan receive express logistics input from Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration and Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration respectively on a small scale while Hong Kong plays an important role in logistics distribution function in the network as a high-equilibrium express logistics area. Additionally, from the dimensions of edges and overall network, the network density value is 0.927 0, and the average least connections value is 1.1375, indicating a wide network coverage and relatively complete express logistics routes between cities. Besides, China's e-commerce express logistics network has a small-world effect and high efficiency of the factor flows. A diamond-structured network is also formed with Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Beijing as the four core nodes. In comparison, the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration is more balanced in the development of e-commerce express logistics; Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Chengdu-Chongqing Urban Agglomerations are more dependent on the internal core cities; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has the lowest network cohesion, and the express logistics links among Hong Kong, Macao and the other nine cities in the Pearl River Delta are weak. Overall, the network formation is influenced by the development of urban agglomerations. Driven by information technology, traditional and new infrastructure construction, etc., the network is less dependent on the distance factor. Express logistics elements mainly follow the hierarchical diffusion mechanism. This research expands the application of logistics big data in the field of urban network research, reveals the structural characteristics and formation mechanism of China's e-commerce express logistics network, helps enrich the theory of "space of flows", and is also of great significance for understanding the city correlation under the digital economy and the shaping of urban space by modern logistics elements, and promoting the digital transformation and high-quality development of express logistics.
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