Special amnesty a balanced act

Should special amnesty be granted to some convicts to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45)?

The Constitution says special amnesty can be granted on the approval of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, which means if approved and then signed by the president, there is legal provision for such a humane gesture.

Given that only war criminals have been granted special amnesty since the founding of New China in 1949, the NPC Standing Committee will set a precedent if it approves granting special amnesty to the several thousands of criminals who would be eligible for such a pardon.