China executed 650 ahead of 'New Year'

The executions reached a fearful crescendo in the last two weeks before the holiday, when 200 people were put to death, according to the London-based organization, which based its data on official Chinese media reports.

"The true figure is certainly much higher, as China refuses to publish full details of all the people it executes," Amnesty said in a statement on China's "horrific New Year."

China usually executes large numbers of convicted criminals before major public holidays in order to warn pickpockets, con artists and others who might try to take advantage of large crowds gathering in public spaces.

The scare tactics is especially used for the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, which began Wednesday. It is the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar, with hundreds of millions traveling, shopping and sightseeing.