Shanghai aims to expand its GDP by around 6.5 percent this year with priorities to deepen market reforms and enhance innovation, the city's mayor said at the first session of the 15th Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, which opened today.

The year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up, and is also a critical year for building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, Mayor Ying Yong said as he delivered the Report on the Work of the Government.

“It is imperative for us to pursue excellence in development, adopt a need-based, problem-solving-oriented and results-driven approach, strengthen the role of innovation, focus on rule making, expand services and improve people’s quality of life,” Ying said.