Special pardons reflect real spirit of rule of law

The order on special pardons President Xi Jinping signed and issued on Saturday ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China epitomizes the principle of governing the country with both the rule of law and virtue.

This is the ninth special amnesty the country has granted to prisoners who have committed light crimes on the occasion of important national events such as National Day celebrations.

It has been a practice since the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In 2015 when China celebrated the 70th anniversary of its victory against Japanese aggression, 31,527 prisoners were granted special pardons, which was of political and social significance to both minimizing the negative impact of crimes and the promotion of social and political stability.