A number of Chinese official and unofficial national anthems were made around the early 20th century, only two remain in use: one for the Republic of China ("Three Principles of the People") and another for the People's Republic of China ("The March of the Volunteers").
For purposes of diplomatic missions to Western Europe and Russia, Li Hongzhang (courtesy name Zhongtang) employed in 1896 political lyrics combined with classical Chinese music -- later known as "The Tone of Li Zhongtang" (李中堂樂).
"The Tone of Li Zhongtang"
Quasi-official
| 金殿當頭紫閣重， 仙人掌上玉芙蓉， 太平天子朝天日， 五色雲車駕六龍。 |
With a golden palace as his head, he is as heavy as the purple tower. Like a jade hibiscus on the palm of an immortal, The Son of Heaven of Perfect Peace races to the sun on the sky, Riding on a five-coloured car of cloud with six dragon |
After the land forces army was established in 1906, it became the army song, and had been played at formal occasions overseas.
The first and only official national anthem of the Qing Empire lived less than a month when Wuchang Uprising occurred in 1911. It is in a very flowery Classical Chinese. However, the Republic of China denies that "The Cup of Solid Gold" is a national anthem.
After the establishment of the provisional government in Nanjing, the Ministry of Education under Cai Yuanpei asked the public for possible anthem (as well as coat of arm), and the one whose lyrics was written by Chen Enyun (沈恩孕) and music by Chen Pengnian (沈彭年) was released as a draft in the newspaper.
"The Cup of Solid Gold"
Official. Main article: Gong Jin'ou1912 Draft
Provisional
| 亞東開化中國早， 揖美追歐， 舊邦新造。 飄揚五色旗， 民國榮光， 錦繡山河普照。 我同胞， 鼓舞文明， 世界和平永保。 |
East Asia is thriving, and China is the earliest. Admiring America and chasing Europe, The old nation is under new construction. The five-coloured flag flutters, |
Also called "Patrotic Song" (愛國歌), "Where is limitless? Our China!" (泱泱哉，我中華！) has lyrics written by Liang Qichao and music by overseas Chinese in Datong School (大同學校), Yokohama. Released in 1912, it was widespread especially among by students.
"Where is limitless? Our China!"
Unofficial
| 泱泱哉，我中華！ 最大洲中最大國， 廿二行省為一家， 物產腴沃甲天地， 天府雄國言非誇。 君不見英日區區三島尚崛起， 況乃堂堂我中華！ 結成團體， 振我精神， 二十世紀新世界， 雄飛宇內疇與倫？ 可愛哉，我國民！ 可愛哉，我國民！ |
Where is limitless? Our China! The largest nation of the largest continent. The twenty-two administered provincess are one family. The products are rich and fertile, the first in the world. 'Heavenly governance', 'strong nation' are not just words of boasting. Do you not see, even the insular Britain and Japan can rise with only a few islands: imagine what of our great China! Join to a body. What can be loved? Our citizens! |
After Yuan Shikai overtook China, his Ritual Regulations Office (禮制館) issued the new official anthem "China Heroically Stands in Universe" (中國雄立宇宙間) on June 1915. Its lyrics was written by Yin Chang (廕昌) and music by Wang Lu (王露).
| 中國雄立宇宙間﹐ 廓八埏﹐ 華冑來從崑崙巔﹐ 江河浩盪山綿連﹐ 共和五族開堯天﹐ 億萬年。 |
China heroically stands in Universe, Extends to the Eight Corners, The famous descendant from Kunlun Peak. The rivers turn greatly, the mountains continuous. Five nationalities open up the sky of Yao, For millions of myriads of years. |
In November 1919, Tuan Chi-jui (later a Beiyang warlord) established the National Anthem Research Committee (國歌研究會), which adopted:
"The Song to the Auspicious Cloud"
Official
The anthem was released in July 1921 by National Affairs Yuan (國務院).
| 卿雲爛兮﹑ 糺¹縵縵兮﹐ 日月光華﹐ 旦復旦兮。 |
How bright is the Auspicious Cloud! How broad is the brilliancy! The light is spectacular with sun or moon. How it revives dawn after dawn! |
Written by officers of the Whampoa Military Academy, The "Revolution of the Citizens" Song (國民革命歌 Guomin Gemin Ge) was released on July 1, 1926.
The "Revolution of the Citizens" Song
Provisional
| 打倒列強，打倒列強， 除軍閥，除軍閥； 努力國民革命，努力國民革命， 齊奮鬥，齊奮鬥。 |
Triumph over the Super Powers, × 2 Eliminate the warlords; × 2 The citizens strive hard to rebel, × 2 Joint affair to fight. × 2 |