In 1912, during a significant transition period in Chinese history, Emperor Xuantong, at the tender age of six, relinquished his throne, marking the end of imperial rule in China. Born in Manchuria, Puyi ascended to the throne as a child emperor but was forced to abdicate due to the pressures of the Xinhai Revolution, which sought to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. His abdication laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Republic of China, which faced years of turmoil and civil strife before the formation of the People's Republic of China.

Despite his abdication, Puyi's connection to the throne did not end there. In 1917, he briefly returned to power for just twelve days, only to be ousted once again. Later, in the early 1930s, he was installed as the puppet ruler of the Japanese-controlled state of Manchukuo, demonstrating the complexities and foreign interference in Chinese politics during this turbulent period. His life and turbulent reign have been depicted in popular culture, most notably in the 1987 film 'The Last Emperor' directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, which further popularized his story.

The events surrounding his abdication not only signify the fall of an imperial era but also symbolize the challenges China faced in modernizing and establishing a national identity in the 20th century. Puyi's life reflects the broader historical narratives of power transitions, foreign influence, and the quest for sovereignty that have shaped contemporary China.