WHAT 诉讼时效 MEANS
What 诉讼时效 means
China’s Civil Code contains the general limitation regime, including rules on when time begins, suspension and interruption, while special statutes can provide different periods.
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Why the role matters
A claim can be legally strong and still fail if filed too late. Contract teams should preserve demand letters, acknowledgements and procedural actions that may affect the limitation clock.
CONTEXT
Where you see the term
ContextWhat it means there
Debt collectionTracks when the payment claim became enforceable.
Demand lettersMay be relevant to interruption analysis.
Litigation / arbitrationForum considers whether the claim is time-barred.
TRANSLATION NOTE
文/A
Translation note
诉讼时效 is “limitation period” or “statute of limitations”. It is different from a contractual deadline or a procedural filing deadline.
AUTHORITY
Primary legal basis
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Example
An unpaid invoice dates back several years. Before filing, counsel reconstructs payment dates, acknowledgements and prior demands to determine the current limitation position.
SOURCES AND REVIEW
Primary authorities.
18 Sep 2026
OFFICIAL SOURCESUPPORTSCHECKED
PRC Civil Code
PRC Civil Code
MAINTAINED BYChina Legal Portal Editorial
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