1. Introduction

A major goal of research on aspect is to determine which aspectual elements are universal and which are not, and where in the grammar aspectual information is represented. The study of Chinese aspect contributes to this general goal by enriching the empirical base upon which a theory of aspect can be built. 

The term “aspect” has been used to refer to “Viewpoint aspect” and “Situation aspect” (Smith 1991, 1994). Viewpo…