Abstract: [Purpose/Significance] The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between archives and national governance, innovate the understanding of the value and role of archives in national governance, and help archives empower national governance.[Design/Methodology] Using literature research method, historical research method, and policy analysis method, this paper discusses the evolution of the relationship between archives and state governance and its external presentation from a historical perspective, and re-examines the relationship between archives and state governance from a realistic perspective.[Findings/Conclusion] The findings indicate the relationship between archives and national governance is a dynamic presentation, which  is mainly through the superposition and evolution of archives as a recording method, a political tool, and an information resource in national governance. That also show national governance not only puts forward new goals and new requirements for the overall situation of archives serving the national center, but also provides conditions and foundations for the realization of archives value, and provides motivation and space for archives to play their role. In addition, we found that, facing the reality of archives for national governance there is an urgent need to strengthen the dissemination of archives information, strengthen the political and cultural functions of archives, and promote the in-depth integration of archives work and national governance ecology. [Originality/Value] This paperclarifies the evolution history and reality of the relationship between archives and national governance.

Key words: Archives, Archival work, National governance, Archives management, Historical investigation