A Survey of 21st-Century Scholarship on the Late Qing Imperial Examination History in China

Abstract.In recent years, Chinese scholars have increasingly focused on the Late Qing imperial examination. The growing interest in imperial examination studies has led to the annual publication of numerous books and articles on this subject. A systematic review of studies categorized by period, region, key figures, institutional structures, and source materials reveals that Late Qing imperial examination history research suffers from fragmentation. A thorough reexamination of earlier scholarship is urgently needed to foster new breakthroughs. In light of these limitations, future research should focus on closing gaps in Late Qing imperial examination history studies, undertaking more in-depth analysis of historical sources, and identifying potential areas for innovative contributions.