Inside China’s ‘Century of Shame’: How a Nation Rose From Humiliation to Power

6. The Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)

The First Sino-Japanese War marked a turning point in East Asian history. China’s defeat by a rapidly modernizing Japan led to the cession of Taiwan and humiliation on the global stage. This loss exposed the glaring weaknesses of the Qing reforms and underscored the urgency for deeper change. Japan’s rise as a formidable regional power dramatically altered the political landscape in Asia.