In 1908, the Qing court promised the people China was to be ruled by a constitution in 1917. In 1905, the Russo-Japanese was revealed to the Chinese the effectiveness of a constitution. To the Chinese, the “victory of Japan over Russia are the victory of constitutionism over monarchism” as said by Chang Chien. In order to pacify the people, it announced a nine-year programme of constitutional preparation was announced and provincial and national assemblies were to be set up. It promised China was to be ruled by a constitution in 1917. In 1911, a cabinet consisting of thirteen members were formed, but eight of them were Manzhus. In order to learn more about constitutionism, a mission was sent to Europe, the U.S. and Japan to study constitutional systems in 1905. This is the most revolutionary change in the whole reform since China would not be absolute monarchy anymore.
Reform leader Zhang Zhidong said that education reform was a condition necessary to create a modern administration. Thus it was given first place among all reforms. He also indicated that the education reform was needed to cultivate native talents. The whole education reform was based on the Japanese model. The reform included the abolition of the eight-legged essay and the abolition of the old civil service examination. The new contents of the exam were to include questions on both Chinese and English subjects. A modern system of school at all levels was set up with a mixed curriculum of both Chinese and western such as science and technology. The government sent thousands of students abroad to study and encouraged foreign travel. The Ministry of Education was set up in 1906 to confirm the modern education in China. A new type of intellectual was created in the education reform.
China’s repeated defeat in foreign wars revealed the military weakness and the urgent need for reform. In the reform, military examinations were abolished and the Ministry of Modern Training was set up. Military academies were set up in each of the provinces to cultivate leading figures and armies. A new Beiyang Army was built under the leadership of Yuan Shikai. It was an army of personal loyalties whereas the officers were loyal to Yuan alone. Its aim was to be equally treated with the foreigners.
Economic reform was needed to increase funds needed for the reform changes included setting up Ministries of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce to encourage economic development. National network of railways were to be built and capitalists were encouraged to set up their industries. China needed to increase national revenues.
Beijing worked to develop branches of the central administration to increase its efficiency. Administrative reforms included establishing eleven new ministries to replace the old six boards. Unnecessary offices were abolished and sale of offices was prohibited.
China needed to reform her judiciary since it was inhumanitation and not approved by foreign countries. A new commercial law was drafted and a new criminal code was adopted.
Social reform contains institutional changes like intermarriage between Manzhus and China was allowed and foot-binding, slavery and opium-smoking was prohibited. This minimizes the discrimination of the Chinese.
The Late Qing Reform was a radical reorganization included changes in many aspects. Unlike the previous reforms, China attempted to introduce institutional changes and constitutional reforms which were revolutionary to China.