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Guangji Temple in Jinzhou, a city located by Liaodong Bay, holds historical records of the 1st Sino-Japanese war. Those records include Qing Dynasty-era inscriptions¹ describing China’s fight with the enemy, the number of casualties and the causes of defeat. China continues to draw lessons from the war, 120 years later.

"History provides solid proof that the 1st Sino-Japanese war was the root of Japan’s militaristic strategy on invading China and other parts of Asia. The Mukden Incident in 1931, as well as the Lugouqiao incident in 1937, can all be traced back to this origin," Li Zhanteng, research fellow with 1st Sino-Japanese War Research Center, said.

The outcome of the war had major significance for both countries, as it was the first time that China had lost to Japan in a military conflict. As a result, regional dominance in East Asia shifted from China to Japan and took the island nation farther down the road of militarism. 

"On March 6, 1895, the Japanese forces bombarded the town of Tianzhuangtai on the opposite side of the Liao River. The town was ultimately razed² to the ground," Ma Baoshi, senior consultant³ with Historical Museum Of Dawa County, Liaoning Province, said.

China was defeated, bearing deep scars of humiliation⁴. At a recent memorial ceremony, some reflected on why the once-great Middle Kingdom would surrender to Japan, a long-time student of Chinese culture, and how to make sure history does not repeat itself.

Experts believe neither the Chinese navy nor ground forces were to blame for China’s defeat in the 1st Sino- Japanese war, but rather the whole state system of the Qing Dynasty— its corruption⁵ and fatuity⁶ within the regime— were the ultimate reason. The conclusion has obvious modern-day applications, because China’s leadership is now emphasizing both reform and a new focus on the country’s military buildup.