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| 1916, March 22 |
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| In response to the unpopularity of his plan to revive the monarchy, Yuan canceled his imperial plans and organized a republican cabinet under Duan Qirui (1865–1936), senior general in the Beiyang militarist clique. Yuan died on June 6 and was succeeded as president by Li Yuanhong (1864–1928), who promptly restored the constitution of 1912 and convoked the original parliament of 1913. | 1 |
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| 1917, Jan. 23 |
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| Japan exacted special rights in Manchuria and Inner Mongolia and sought China's declaration of war against Germany (so as to shore up its hold on the former German leasehold in Qingdao) in exchange for a “loan” of 5 million yen. | 2 |
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| March |
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| China broke diplomatic relations with Germany. | 3 |
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| May 23 |
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| The dismissal of Duan led to an uprising of northern military governors. Zhang Xun (1854–1923) was called to intervene. | 4 |
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| July 1 |
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| In Beijing, Zhang Xun declared, with the help of Kang Youwei (1858–1927), the restoration of the Manchu dynasty. It was quickly overthrown again (July 12) by Duan Qirui who thereupon resumed the premiership. Twice-deposed former emperor Puyi returned to the Forbidden City, where he lived until 1924. Li Yuanhong resigned, leaving the presidency to Vice President Feng Guozhang (1857–1919, elected Oct. 1916). Sun Zhongshan headed a secessionist government in Guangzhou (Sept.), from which he was expelled by militarists in 1918. | 5 |
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| Aug. 14 |
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| CHINA DECLARED WAR AGAINST GERMANY AND AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. Labor battalions were sent to France, Mesopotamia, and Africa (mostly to northern France)—54,000 Chinese in late 1917, 96,000 by late 1918. China secured the termination of German and Austrian extraterritoriality and Boxer indemnity payments, and the return of their concessions in Tianjin and Hankou. The Allies postponed Boxer payments for five years. Japan lent the Duan regime 140 million yen. | 6 |
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