Enlightener of the Hundred Days’ Reform and the New Citizen, Progressive Party leader against Yuan Shikai’s monarchy
From Xinhui in Guangdong, he joined his teacher Kang Youwei in the Hundred Days’ Reform of 1898 and after the coup spent fourteen years in exile in Japan. Publishing the New Citizen and other journals from Yokohama, he translated and introduced Western and Japanese thought to a generation of young Chinese and argued for constitutional monarchy against the revolutionaries. Returning after 1911, he formed the Progressive Party and served the Beijing government as chief justice and head of the currency bureau. In 1915 he wrote against Yuan Shikai’s monarchy and persuaded his pupil Cai E to rise in Yunnan, and after Yuan’s death he was finance chief in Duan Qirui’s cabinet. In 1919 he led a private delegation to the Paris Peace Conference to press China’s interests, and later left politics.
Also known as: Liang Ch'i-ch'ao · Liang Rengong
Activities and affiliations
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1898–1912
Ideology and propaganda
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1913–1914
Beiyang government and warlordsChief justice
Law and justice -
1913–1917
Political and party leadership
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1917
Beiyang government and warlordsFinance chief
Economy, finance and planning
Career Timeline
- 1898Took part in the Hundred Days’ Reform; exile in Japan
- 1902Founded the New Citizen in Yokohama
- 1912Returned to China
- 1913Formed the Progressive Party
- 1913–1914Chief justice and head of the currency bureau, Beijing government
- 1915Opposed Yuan Shikai’s monarchy and persuaded Cai E to rise
- 1917Finance chief in Duan Qirui’s cabinet
- 1919Private delegation to the Paris Peace Conference
Related historical events
- 1911–1916The 1911 Revolution and the birth of the RepublicConstitutionalist enlightener; Progressive Party leaderAn advocate of constitutional monarchy before 1911, he wrote against Yuan Shikai’s monarchy in 1915 and drew his pupil Cai E into revolt.
- 1915–1921May Fourth and the founding of the Chinese Communist PartyHead of a private delegation at the Paris Peace ConferenceLed a private delegation to Paris and sent home reports on the Shandong decision.