Tian Yue
Qing diplomats were the first to suggest adopting an official anthem. Zeng Jize (1839–1890) — eldest son of statesman Zeng Guofan — was the Qing envoy to France, Britain, and Russia for several years starting in 1878. Around 1880, he composed a song called "Pu Tian Yue" to be played as China's anthem in various state ceremonies and suggested the Qing adopt it as its official anthem, but the court did not approve. That song's lyrics and melody have both been lost for a very long time. However an instrumental version of the anthem has been found and a part of what is seemingly the lyrics.