The establishment of social science periodicals sponsored by local institutions should be approved by higher level supervising authorities (if the sponsoring institution is a vice-ministerial level, then it can serve as the supervising authority) before submitting their written application to the Shanghai Municipal Press and Publications Bureau.

After being approved by the Shanghai Municipal Press and Publications Bureau, the application should be submitted to the General Administration of Press and Publications for final approval.

The establishment of natural science or technical periodicals should be approved by supervising departments above a vice-ministerial level before a written application is submitted to the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission. After being approved by the Shanghai Municipal Science Commission and the Shanghai Municipal Press and Publications Bureau, the application should be submitted to the State Science and Technology Commission.

Applicants should have:

(1) A name and articles of association;

(2) a supervising authority designated by relevant ministries or departments of the State Council;

(3) a clearly-defined business scope;

(4) over RMB 300,000 of registered capital and a fixed business venue;

(5) an business organization structure and competent staff with relevant qualifications, and

(6) they should meet the requirements of the law and other regulations.

During the approval of such applications, the overall number, structure and layout of publishing enterprises should also be considered.

The following documents should be submitted by the applicant to the Shanghai Municipal Press and Publication Bureau:

(1) A written application, indicating:

(i) The reason for the establishment of the periodical, principle and major field of content;

(ii) the supervising authority;

(iii) the name, publishing frequency, size, pages and scope and means of publishing;

(iv) the name, CV, title and qualifications of the major responsible person, with the basic organizational structure of the periodical;

(v) the office venue and printing venue of the magazine (office venue should be the same as for the supervising authority), and

(vi) the source and amount of financing.

If the above mentioned six items are incomplete or untrue, approval will not be granted.

(2) The name, address and other documents of the supervising authority of the applicant;

(3) the name, address and qualifications of the legal representative and the major responsible staff;

(4) the source and amount of financing;

(5) the articles of association of the applicant;

(6) a feasibility study report from the applicant;

(7) the proof of use of a work venue, and

(8) the completed "Application Form for the Establishment of Periodicals".