The term “Archives” can be interpreted differently. Broadly speaking, the term “archives” refers to the records, documents, or information generated during processing by government agencies, institutions, or individuals, and then preserved. However, people are always under the impression that archives are uninteresting and have all been covered with dust and molds. Hence, people tend to avoid them.

However, archives are the historical records of human activities, and can provide people with information on specific times, events, and people, thereby enabling us to understand the status and development of the country and society at different periods, as well as the contribution of specific events and people to the country and society.

The term “Archives” originated from the Ching Dynasty. According to the “ Imperial Transcripts ” during the 19 th year of the K'ang Hsi period (A.D. 1680), when Emperor K'ang Hsi reviewed the criminal lists for Autumn Assizes, a great scholar reported to him, “As no archives are kept in the ministry, the ministry deems it unacceptable to make an accusation.”

However, during the 46 th year of the K'ang Hsi period, in his works, “ Liu Bian Ji Lue, " Yang Bin provided more records for the term “Archives” as follows: “The majority of texts are written on wood, which becomes known as plates when they are transferred. Hence, wood chips are called tablets, which become archives and files, after having been stored for a long time. If several binders are hung on the walls, they then become shelves for archives. Even though nowadays texts are written in paper, they are still called plates and files.” This is the earliest explanation of the term “archives.”

Moreover, China has a long history of archives, which can be traced back to the Shang Era over 4,000 years ago. However, the term “archives” was called differently at different periods. For example, they were called “volumes” during the Shang era, “ chung ” during the Chou Dynasty, “records” during the Chin Dynasty and Han Dynasty, “documents,” “copies,” “letters,” “files,” “books,” etc. during the Han Dynasty and Wei. Hence, archives are the natural products created when the development of the human society has reached a certain stage. Needless to say, archives are created as a result of the development of society and the emergence of written records.