On Provincial System Reform Of Early Republic Of China And Its Controversies

The aim of this research is to reflect on the provincial system reform happened in the early years of the Republic of China so as to provide historical wisdom for contemporary provincial institution reform in our country. Conventional researches about the former reform of early Republic of China mainly focused on minor issues of the partition of military affairs and civil administration, public election of provincial governors, reduction of levels of local governments and provincial areas. And the stagnation and countermarch of the reform was totally blamed on Yuan Shih-kai for his declaration of himself as the Emperor. Unlike existing researches, through the examination and analysis of the former reform, the article illustrated that much more important content and contribution of this reform lies in its consideration of the provincial-central government relations and the exploration of the provincial administrative operations. The author argue that provincial system reform was no more interested in merely seeking centralization but much more endeavored in bettering the local governance. The design of provincial system not only respected the control exerted by central government over provinces, but also took into account the balance provinces exerted on central government, as well as the distinction and interdependence between administration and autonomy with an intension to balance their operations. Unfortunately, due to the dilemma proposed by the situation, social psychology and contemporary conditions, the inspiring efforts failed to fall on the ground. Problem remained unsolved when it came to how to build provincial-central government relations and arrange the operation for provincial administration.