On February 12, 1912, China witnessed a significant transformation with the abdication of its last emperor, Hsiao-Tung, following the republican revolution led by Sun Yat-sen. This marked the conclusion of 267 years of Qing (Manchu) rule and effectively the end of a continuous imperial system that lasted for 2000 years. At just six years old, Hsiao-Tung was allowed to stay in the Forbidden City of Beijing, adopting a new name, Henry Pu Yi, which signified not only his personal change but an entire shift in China's political landscape.

Pu Yi ascended to the throne in 1908 after the death of his uncle, Emperor Guangxu, and governed under the supervision of representatives with intentions of preparing for a future autonomous reign. However, the revolutionary events ignited in October 1911 led to the fall of the Qing dynasty, prompting his abdication a few months later. The transition was indicative of a broader ideological shift in China as the country began moving away from feudalism towards a more modern, republican framework, which had lasting implications on its subsequent political development.

After his abdication, the new Chinese government provided Pu Yi with a substantial state pension and permitted him to reside within the royal palace until 1924, at which point he was exiled. His life story reflects the dramatic and often tumultuous transition China experienced during the early 20th century, as the nation navigated the challenges of modernity while reconciling its imperial past.