(Yicai Global) Dec. 28 -- Shanghai will mull constructing a free trade port and speed up the construction of a science and technology innovation center with global influence next year.

The city will focus on building a comprehensive national science center in Zhangjiang, China News Service quoted Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong as saying yesterday at the 42nd meeting of the 14th Shanghai National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Shanghai will expand reforms and promote liberalization with its pilot free trade zone and work to protect and improve the environment, the mayor said.

The city will complete key tasks specified in its pilot free trade zone program next year, Ying said.

Shanghai should continue to push forward water pollution control, improve small and medium-sized rivers in urban and rural areas, implement the 'river chief' system and start work on phase IV of the Suzhou River environmental improvement project and the Shanghai section of the Wusong River water conservancy scheme, he said.

Shanghai will need to make greater efforts to promote the comprehensive treatment of garbage, control air pollution and build parks, said Ying.