On January 25, 2016, Xinhua reported that, on August 29, 2015, before a national commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, President Xi Jinping signed an authorization of amnesty after whcih a total of 31,527 prisoners have been released.Xinhua reported that most of those released were juveniles when they committed their crimes.
Xinhua followed the report with a special commentary on the amnesty stating the move is “a successful example of how the Party rules.” It emphasized that this is the first time amnesty has been granted since the enactment of the current Constitution 33 years ago and that this “demonstrates one more time how governing and institutional confidence follow the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics.”
Sources:
Xinhua, January 25, 2016
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2016-01/25/c_1117889751.htm
Xinhua, January 25, 2016
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2016-01/25/c_1117889800.htm