Provisions of the Criminal Law on the Prosecution Period of Criminal Cases
Article 87 A crime shall not be prosecuted after the following periods:
(1) If the maximum punishment prescribed is fixed-term imprisonment of less than five years, five years shall elapse.
(2) Ten years shall elapse if the maximum punishment prescribed is fixed-term imprisonment of not less than five years but not more than ten years.
(3) Fifteen years shall elapse if the maximum punishment prescribed is fixed-term imprisonment of not less than ten years.
(4) If the maximum punishment prescribed is life imprisonment or death penalty, 20 years shall elapse. If it is deemed necessary to prosecute after 20 years, it shall be reported to the Supreme People's Procuratorate for approval.