The Republic was declared on 1 January 1912 after the Xinhai Revolution, which overthrew the Qing dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China, ending 5,000 years of monarchy in China.

The Song to the Auspicious Cloud (Chinese: 卿雲歌; pinyin: Qīng Yún Gē, literally "Auspicious Cloud Song") was the title of two historical national anthems of the Republic of China. The first version, composed by Jean Hautstont was in use from 1913 to 1915 as a provisional anthem.