Abstract: Since the introduction of the concept "core periodicals" into China in the 1980s, the actual function of periodicals has been changed from a reference to a threshold for post evaluation, academic assessment and even degree assessment. The concept of "quality of academic paper" has been mixed with that of "core periodicals". This article attempts to discuss this confusion from these two concepts, in the hope of urging the management department at China Academic Periodicals to establish an organization that is dedicated to the evaluation of the quality of academic periodicals, so as to facilitate and ensure the true development of academic quality of academic periodicals in China.