> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://methodology.china-index.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Evidence time periods > Qualifying time period for documentary evidence, by type of Indicator. *For certain Indicators, the time period to which Indicator Evidence can correspond is restricted. The below section explains this system:* ## Indicator Evidence Period Classifications The evidence acceptable for China Index Indicators falls into three classifications: “Case Evidence,” “System Evidence,” and “Diplomatic Position Evidence.” Each Indicator accepts one of these forms of evidence. **Under each of these classifications, the time period for which the local expert’s documentary evidence can apply is different.** The submission platform shows the classification of evidence each Indicator accepts. The purpose of this system is to account for the fact that influence from the PRC can be exerted long-term in the form of systems, while other influence is only expressed in single instances as cases. Meanwhile, the effect of PRC influence often manifests in the settled diplomatic positions of states. The China Index strives to provide a yearly picture of PRC influence in Index countries. Therefore the methodology must restrict applicable influence phenomena to falling into the given data year of the China Index. Evidence regarding cases of PRC influence must occur within the year of China Index data collection, whereas the evidence accepted for system and diplomatic position influence phenomena can apply to a longer time-frame. The below sections explains in more detail the distinctions between these evidence types. ### Case Evidence Indicators Concerning influence phenomena that occur at a particular moment of time and do not need to persist over an extended period. * E.g. visa denials, self-censorship, one-time donations, criminal charges, economic espionage, cyber attacks etc. **Example Case Evidence Indicator:** * *In my country, there are journalists who have had pressure exerted on them by the PRC, including (but not limited to) public denouncement, revocation of journalist ID, denial of visa*. \[Media Domain] **Case Evidence Indicator time period:** * For the 2024 edition, evidence of cases from 1 January 2022 to the start of data collection is required to answer this Indicator in the affirmative. No cases occurring before 1 January 2022 can be considered when answering the Indicator. ### System Evidence Indicators Concerning influence phenomena that necessarily persists over an extended period of time and can be proven to exist with a written document: * E.g. contracts, trade deals, multi-year exchange programs, content-sharing agreements, sanctions, legislation etc. **Example System Evidence Indicator:** * *In my country, there are media organizations that belong to the World Chinese Media (世界华文媒体) network..* \[Media Domain] **System Evidence Indicators time period:** * The system must be in place by the date you begin data collection. Therefore, evidence of the system from a date before your start data collection is admissible, as long as the partner does not find evidence to suggest that the system was altered before this date. * Therefore, if you identify a system of influence that was initiated at some time in the past, it is important to verify that this system has not been terminated since then. **N.B.** There are times where documentary evidence for a System Evidence Indicator does not specify when this system will end. E.g. A news article from 2015 may discuss the initiation of an exchange program between reporters from the Index country and China, but does not specify when this program will end. E.g. A 2017 press release shows a \$100,000 USD investment from a PRC-affiliated entity in a technology firm in the Index country, but does not specify in what timeframe the money will be spent. In these cases, the regional partner must use their judgment to conclude whether or not this influence is likely to persist to the present day. For example, if the evidence appears long before the present day, or the monetary value of an investment is too small to be sustained from the date of announcement to the present day, the regional partner could conclude that the system is no longer in place. We encourage you to use your sound judgment and accept that there cannot be 100% certainty in specific cases. ### Diplomatic Position Evidence Indicators Concerning only Indicators 8-11 of the Foreign Policy Domain. * Diplomatic positions regarding PRC South China Sea claims, Uyghur, Tibet, and Hong Kong repression **Example System Evidence Indicator:** * *My country has shown one of the following stances on PRC’s treatment of its Uyghur population.* \[Foreign Policy Domain] **Diplomatic Position Evidence Indicators time period:** * Evidence regarding a diplomatic position can only be drawn from the time period that the current ruling administration (the “executive,” i.e. president, prime minister, military chief) has been in power. For example, if an administration has been in power for five years, the respondent can draw evidence on diplomatic positions from any time during those five years, as long as the diplomatic position has not changed. * Therefore, if a new administration takes power (either through elections or some kind of coup/revolution), the respondent can only draw evidence on diplomatic positions from the time period belonging to the new administration. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.