Cabinet of Prince Qing

The Cabinet of Prince Qing (庆亲王内阁; 慶親王內閣; Qìng Qīnwáng Nèigé) was the first cabinet of the Qing dynasty and of China, formed as part of the Qing state's reforms to create a constitutional monarchy in the early 20th century. It was active from 8 May to 1 November 1911, led by the Prime Minister of the Imperial Cabinet, Yikuang (Prince Qing). It initially consisted of thirteen members, of which nine were Manchus (seven of whom were from the imperial clan) while only four were Han Chinese. As a result, it remained unpopular among the people and was nicknamed the "Princes' Cabinet" or "Imperial Family Cabinet"(皇族内阁; 皇族內閣; Huángzú Nèigé) by its critics.[1]

Cabinet of Prince Qing

1st Cabinet of China
Date formed8 May 1911
Date dissolved1 November 1911
People and organisations
Head of stateXuantong Emperor
Head of governmentPrince Qing
No. of ministers13
History
ElectionAppointed by the Emperor
PredecessorNone
SuccessorYuan Shikai's Cabinet

History

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The Imperial Cabinet was formed as a result of the constitutional reforms, the New Policies, being enacted in China in the early 20th century. It replaced the Grand Council, although it was unpopular and was described as "the old Grand Council under the name of a cabinet, autocracy under the name of constitutionalism."[1]

Members of the provisional assemblies, which were formed in 1908–09, protested against the formation of this cabinet. On 12 May, the Federation of Provincial Assemblies declared that imperial princes should not serve as premiers and that the Princes' Cabinet is not compatible with a constitutional monarchy. On 5 July, over 40 legislators submitted a petition to form a new cabinet. The imperial court responded with an edict which stated that assemblymen should not interfere with the appointment and dismissal of officials.[1]

The Princes' Cabinet was dissolved in November 1911 when Prince Qing resigned and his ally, general Yuan Shikai, was appointed prime minister in his place, establishing the Yuan Cabinet.[1]

Composition

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The following is the list of cabinet ministers. Unless otherwise noted, their term began on 8 May and ended on 1 November when the cabinet was dismissed.

Office Name Portrait Ethnicity Notes
Prime Minister Yikuang, Prince Qing
慶親王 奕劻
  Manchu
Minister of the Cabinet Natong
那桐
  Manchu
Xu Shichang
徐世昌
  Han Chinese
Minister of Foreign Affairs Liang Dunyan
梁敦彥
  Han Chinese
Minister of Internal Affairs Shanqi, Prince Su
肅親王 善耆
  Manchu Appointed on April 10
Guichun
桂春
Manchu Acting
Zhao Bingjun
趙秉鈞
  Han Chinese Appointed in early October
Minister of Finance Zaize, Grace Defender Duke
奉恩鎮國公 載澤
  Manchu
Minister of Education Tang Jingchong
唐景崇
  Han Chinese
Minister of the Army Yinchang
蔭昌
  Manchu
Minister of the Navy Zaixun, Prince Rui
瑞郡王 載洵
  Manchu
Minister of Justice Gioro Shaochang
覺羅紹昌
Manchu
Minister of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce Pulun, Beile-ranked beise
貝子加貝勒銜 溥倫
  Manchu
Minister of Mail and Communications Sheng Xuanhuai
盛宣懷
  Han Chinese
Tang Shaoyi
唐紹儀
  Han Chinese Appointed on September 5
Minister of the Lifan Yuan Shouqi
壽耆
  Manchu
Shanqi, Prince Su
肅親王 善耆
  Manchu Appointed on June 21

References

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Further reading

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  • Esherick, Joseph (2013). China: How the Empire Fell. New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0415831017.