Prince Qing's Cabinet

The Prince Qing Cabinet (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
Election(s)Appointed by the Emperor
PredecessorNone
SuccessorYuan Shikai's Cabinet

History

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

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.

OfficeNamePortraitEthnicityNotes
Prime Minister Yikuang (Prince Qing)Manchu
Minister of the Cabinet NatongManchu
Xu ShichangHan Chinese
Minister of Foreign Affairs Liang DunyanHan Chinese
Minister of Internal Affairs Shanqi 善耆, Prince SuManchuAppointed on April 10
GuichunManchuActing
Zhao BingjunHan ChineseAppointed in early October
Minister of Finance ZaizeManchu
Minister of Education Tang JingchongHan Chinese
Minister of the Army YinchangManchu
Minister of the Navy Zaixun, Prince RuiManchu
Minister of Justice ShaochangManchu
Minister of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce PulunManchu
Minister of Mail and Communications Sheng XuanhuaiHan Chinese
Tang ShaoyiHan ChineseAppointed on September 5
Minister of the Lifan Yuan Uksun XuefuManchu
Shanqi 善耆, Prince SuManchuAppointed on June 21

References
  1. Esherick (2013).

Further reading
  • Esherick, Joseph (2013). China: How the Empire Fell. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0415831016.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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