Amnesty reflects confidence

President Xi Jinping has signed a mandate granting amnesty to four categories of criminals, 40 years after the country last granted such a pardon in 1975.

Many countries grant such special amnesties on important national occasions to give wrongdoers another chance. For instance, the Republic of Korea extended a pardon to 6,527 inmates to celebrate its 70th anniversary of independence.

China's move is in accordance with the Constitution and has followed strict legal procedures, such as the top legislature's approval, the issuance of the president's mandate and the judiciary's involvement to confirm eligible candidates.