Ministry of Rites
On January 25, 1911, an official from the Ministry of Rites called Cao Guangquan (曹廣權／曹广权) petitioned the Qing court to adopt a stately "national music" ("guoyue" 國樂／国乐) that could be performed at court ceremonies. He proposed that officials collect both ancient music and examples of state music from abroad and, on that basis, design an anthem for the Qing. The Ceremonial Council (Dianliyuan 典禮院／典礼院), which had just replaced the Ministry of Rites, responded on July 15 of that year. It put Putong () (1877–1950) — a Manchu noble and direct descendant of the Daoguang Emperor who served in the Imperial Guard — in charge of writing the melody, whereas Yan Fu (1854–1921), a translator of European scientific and philosophical treatises and an advisor to the Qing Navy, was charged with writing the lyrics. Guo Cengxin (), who had worked for the Ministry of Rites, made some minor modifications at the end.