Except as otherwise stipulated by law, the limitation of action regarding applications to a people's court for protection of civil rights shall be two years.

The limitation of action shall be one year in cases concerning the following:(1)claims for compensation for bodily injuries;(2) sales of substandard goods without proper notice to that effect;(3) delays in paying rent or refusal to pay rent; (4) loss of or damage to property left in the care of another person.

A limitation of action shall begin when the entitled person knows or should know that his rights have been infringed upon. However, the people's court shall not protect his rights if 20 years have passed since the infringement. Under special circumstances, the people's court may extend the limitation of action.

A limitation of action shall be suspended during the last six months of the limitation if the plaintiff cannot exercise his right of claim because of force majeure or other obstacles. 

The limitation shall resume on the day when the grounds for the suspension are eliminated.

A limitation of action shall be discontinued if suit is brought or if one party makes a claim for or agrees to fulfillment of obligations. A new limitation shall be counted from the time of the discontinuance.

(Lawyer Wu Yingjie)