Kang Youwei's reform thought and his view of the second constitutional monarchy

The Qing (Manchu) Dynasty, China's last imperial dynasty, began to lose its sovereignty in the 19th century due to both internal rebellions and external threats. Defeated by the First Opium War with Britain in 1840-42, the Qing Dynasty faced a similar outcome in the Second Opium War from 1856 to 1860, during which Beijing was occupied by foreign powers. Following these wars, China, now heavily influenced by the West and semi-colonized, suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Japanese, whom it had underestimated, in 1894. In the wake of these pivotal moments in Chinese history, a reformist intellectual class led by Kang Youwei began to pressure the emperor and submit petitions for reform. As a result, the "Hundred Days' Reform," inspired by reforms happening in Western and neighboring countries, took place in 1898. Kang Youwei aimed to introduce innovations in military, administrative, economic, industrial, and educational sectors through these reforms. However, the Hundred Days' Reform was thwarted by Empress Dowager Cixi and other conservatives in power. Facing the threat of execution, Kang Youwei embarked on a 16-year exile. During his exile, Kang Youwei traveled to various countries, including Türkiye, where he arrived in Istanbul in July 1908. He witnessed the proclamation of the Second Constitutional Era (II. Meşrutiyet) and was influenced by the Young Turks. He documented his impressions in a travelogue titled "Tujue Youji" (Travelogue of the Türkiye). Additionally, besides his efforts in governance in China, Kang Youwei focused on art, morality, and social issues, advocating for a radical approach to the traditional Chinese concept of Datong.