The difference between the two is mainly based on their organizers. Generally speaking,? National level? A periodical refers to a periodical sponsored by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council and their subordinate departments, or sponsored by China Academy of Sciences, China Academy of Social Sciences, democratic parties and national people's organizations, and sponsored by national professional societies. Provincial level? Journals are journals sponsored by provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and their subordinate ministries, commissions, offices, departments and bureaus, as well as journals of undergraduate colleges.

Strictly speaking, there is no national or provincial distinction standard for periodicals and magazines. In real life, many people usually describe a publication as national, provincial or municipal.