Chinese archives are usually classified by two different approaches, archival arrangement system and national classification system(that is, retrieval classification). While the former applies Fonds theory to Chinese context, the latter is designed for subject retrieval of Chinese information sources. Focusing on The Method of Archival Classification of China(2nd ed.), this paper examines basic principles of retrieval classification and its applications using the case of Jilin Provincial Archives. Especially this paper reviews structure and contents of three classification systems of historical archives, and provides suggestions for studies on archival arrangement for our historical archives.