Evolution of Journal Publishing Supervision in China from the Perspective of Policy Iteration: A Comparative Analysis of Journal Verification Policies (2020—2024)

The annual journal verification system serves as a crucial mechanism for supervising journal publishing activities in China. This system is of great significance in upholding ideological security, ensuring content quality, regulating publishing practices, and improving the publishing supervision system. It provides an institutional framework enabling Chinese journals to maximize their value in scientific dissemination, cultural preservation, and societal service. This paper first sorts out the historical progression of China's annual journal verification policies, identifying three distinct phases: initial establishment phase (1991—2004), policy standardization phase (2005—2019), and digital supervision phase (2020—present). Through analysis of verification policy documents issued by the National Press and Publication Administration from 2020 to 2024, this paper compares three key dimensions—verification content, procedures, and work requirements—revealing annual policy adjustments characterized by "refined verification content, standardized verification procedures, and enhanced work requirements." Based on this policy comparison, this paper reveals the evolutionary logic of journal publishing supervision from the perspective of policy iteration, highlighting three core features: targeted problem-solving, rigid responsibility, and standardized processes. These features manifest in several key aspects: upholding the value orientation of prioritizing social benefits; refining the supervision of journals' new media operations; implementing collaborative governance to address academic misconduct; strengthening supervision over non-compliant business practices; upgrading verification platforms to restructure supervision processes; improving data quality to provide accurate basis; for supervision; and establishing a regular sampling inspection system and a strict withdrawal mechanism. This evolutionary logic holds significant guiding significance for journal publishing practices. Journal publishing entities, along with their supervising and sponsoring entities, must thoroughly examine annual journal verification policies, proactively adapt to policy reforms, promptly optimize their internal management systems, and integrate into; policy provisions and internal management systems of journal publishing entities. By strengthening quality control, standardizing compliant operations, and consolidating their primary responsibilities, these entities can boost journal competitiveness, achieve high-quality development, thus contributing to building a socialist cultural power.