"We should severely punish mafia-style gangs and further investigate 'protective umbrellas' covering the crimes while deepening comprehensive social governance, resolving social conflicts and promoting social harmony through various measures such as civil and judicial mediation."

He said new types of crime have occurred and people have new demands, so prosecutors' concepts and policies must be updated and adapted to "uphold fairness and reflect the rule of law, combining punishment with leniency and more humanity".

The SPP said a typical example of the way prosecutors act to protect the innocent was a case in August 2018, in which Liu Hailong, who was driving a BMW, quarreled with cyclist Yu Haiming at an intersection in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, because Liu was occupying the lane reserved for nonmotorized vehicles.

Liu kicked Yu and used a machete to stab Yu's neck, waist and leg. Yu managed to take the weapon from Liu and then stabbed him to death in self-defense.

Yu was detained by police in Kunshan, but after an investigation by the prosecuting department, it was determined that Liu had been driving drunk, and he was suspected of causing the trouble.

In September 2018, Yu was identified as having acted in justifiable defense and was absolved of criminal responsibility.

Kunshan police canceled the case according to law.

Zhang said prosecuting departments should continue following the concept of "fewer arrests and careful prosecution" to protect suspects' rights and other interests.

Last year, the number of suspects prosecutors decided not to charge increased by 32 percent compared with 2015, while the number of suspects in minor crimes that prosecutors chose not to take to court increased by 167 percent in the same period.

"I think that such a big change brings the most real sense of gain and happiness to our people," Zhang said.

According to the SPP, the proportion of criminals sentenced to more than three years in prison decreased to 21 percent last year, from 45 percent in 1999.