CRI听力:China to Grant Amnesty ahead of V-Day Parade

The proposed amnesty would cover those who were involved in either the war against Japan or the subsequent civil war which ended 4-years later in 1949.

Anyone who also fought during the Korean War will also be given pardons if they still find themselves in prison.

Li Shishi, whose department drafted the proposal, says the amnesty has both political and legal significance.

"Granting amnesty to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression is "an innovative practice" based on the constitution. It shows the government's confidence in its system of governance and creates an "open, democratic, civilized and legal" image for China."

The amnesty would also include anyone aged above 75, those who are seriously handicapped and unable to care for themselves, as well as those who committed crimes when they were younger than 18 and sentenced to less than three years in prison.

Minors who have less than a year remaining on their sentences may also be released.

However, Li Shishi says the amnesty does have restrictions.

"Anyone in prison through the anti-corruption campaign or for national security, as well as those convicted of graft, bribery, terrorism and sabotage will not be eligible for the amnesty."

Career criminals will also be excluded.

All prisoners eligible for release under the amnesty should have begun serving their sentences before this year.

The draft is being discussed at the bimonthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Special amnesty is a legal item written into the Chinese Constitution.

Seven amnesties have been issued since the founding of the PRC in 1949, often before major anniversaries or conferences.

For CRI, I'm Luo Wen.