Fifty years ago today, as China was preparing to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic, Mao Zedong sent a handwritten note to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the executive body of the country’s legislature, recommending the announcement of a special pardon to mark the anniversary. Mao summed up his support by saying, “It will make [all prisoners] realize that under our great socialist system, everyone has a future if only they can reform their ways.”
Two weeks from now on Oct. 1, the People’s Republic of China will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its founding, a milestone with special significance in Chinese culture. Representing a full cycle in the traditional calendar, 60 years is a time to reflect on past accomplishments and an auspicious moment to embark on fresh endeavors. Chinese history is replete with examples of major anniversaries and other auspicious dates being marked by pardons, and pardons have been a feature of many other Asian cultures as well.
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