Many of the deputies and journalists who gathered in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Sunday were happy to have their smartphones.

Rather than flipping through the roughly 40-page-long Government Work Report, mobile-savvy attendees could scan a QR code on the report's first page and view engaging videos and graphics set to music.

It was a first in the history of the National People's Congress and consistent with trends in the digital age, as people are spending more time reading on their smartphones.

Premier Li Keqiang delivered the report at the annual plenary session, but deputies and journalists could also access the mobile version with a simple scan.

The mobile report includes animations and graphics that make the numbers easier to understand. For example, in a presentation of data relating to air pollution, gray skies turn to blue.

The mobile-friendly report highlighted the premier's pledge to build a strong internet industry.

"In the age of the internet, faster and more cost-effective information networks are crucial to the development of every sector," the report said.

It announced an end to the long-standing practice of charging mobile customers for domestic roaming and long-distance calls.

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