Li Qiang, secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and a delegate to the first session of the 13th National People's Congress says Shanghai will implement the plans outlined in the national government work report.

The government report was delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on Monday and cited President Xi Jinping's call for the country's most populous city to be the bellwether of national reform and opening-up and the pioneer of innovative development.

Shanghai will make its contribution to China's new era and new journey under the guidance of President Xi's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Li Qiang told a joint panel discussing Premier Li's report.

Li Qianq said the past five years have seen historic reforms and achievements for the country.

"We witnessed Socialism with Chinese Characteristics entering a new era, great achievements on the 'Governance of China', China approaching the center of the world's stage and the cohesion of the Party's mind, the military's mind and people's mind," he said.

"We must continuously enhance the city's core functions, play a guiding role and work for the whole country's development and perform better in global competition.

"We should ensure our work is at the highest standard and study the best practices and experiences from other regions.

"We should focus on developing strategic advantages in Shanghai's growth, especially first-mover advantage, brand advantage and professional advantage, when promoting the four brands of 'Shanghai Services, Shanghai Manufacturing, Shanghai Shopping and Shanghai Culture."