Shanghai Mayor Yang Xiong said the city must bear in mind the costly lesson learned from the panic-stricken stampede on New Year's Eve, which left 36 dead and 49 injured.

"The incident has caused very serious consequences. It's very painful, and the lesson cost too much. Although the incident is still under investigation, we must learn the lesson paid for with blood and reflect deeply on the incident," Yang said at a meeting of Shanghai People's Congress on Tuesday.

The annual lantern show held at Shanghai Guyi Garden during Lantern Festival each year will be canceled this year due to safety concerns.