Qi Yaoshan
Qi Yaoshan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1865 Yitong County, Jilin (present-day Sitaizu Village, Mengjialing Town, Lishu County, Jilin) |
| Died | February 15, 1954 (aged 88–89) Taipei |
| Occupation(s) | Official, statesman |
| Years active | Qing dynasty and Republic of China periods |
| Known for | Governor of Zhejiang Province, Governor of Shandong Province, Minister of Education of the Republic of China |
Qi Yaoshan (; 1865 – February 15, 1954), with the courtesy name Zhaoyan, was a prominent official and statesman active during both the Qing dynasty and the Republic of China. He originated from Yitong County—present-day Sitaizu Village, Mengjialing Town, Lishu County, Jilin.
Qing dynasty
Qi Yaoshan was born in 1865 in Jilin. He successfully passed the Imperial Examination at the Juren level in 1889 and earned the title of Genshenke scholar a year later. In May 1890, he was appointed as Chancellor (Zhongshu) within the Cabinet. Early in his career, he fulfilled roles such as copy-writer for the Governor of Hubei, served as Zongban overseeing the Baojia in Wuchang, acted as Prefect of Yichang Prefecture, and held various positions within the Qingzhang Bureau located in Hankou.
Subsequently, Qi advanced to administrative leadership over Jingyi and Hanhuangde Circuits in Hubei Province. His responsibilities extended to directing the General Office at the Honghanguan Public Relations Office, supervising provincial government training programs in Hubei, and managing academic affairs within the province.
Republican Era
In 1913, Qi assumed the role of director for the Beijing Salt Production Affairs Preparation Office. The following year, he participated as a delegate at the Republic of China Constitutional Convention and secured a seat in the National Assembly.
Qi occupied significant provincial governance posts, including Governor of Zhejiang Province in 1918 and Governor of Shandong Province in 1920. By 1921, he was appointed Chief Cabinet Secretary under Premier Jin Yunpeng and led the Famine Relief Society. That same year, he also oversaw operations at Beijing Normal University and was named President of Shangwu (Commercial) Bank. Later on, Qi joined the Cabinet of Agriculture and Commerce under Premier Liang Shiyi, where he served as Minister of Education.
In 1922, Qi chaired the Grain Survey Committee; however, by mid-year he was relieved from his duties as Education Minister and from his presidency at Shangwu Bank. By 1927, he was engaged with the Political Discussion Committee affiliated with the Anguojun Government under warlord Zhang Zuolin, and worked as a researcher at Beijing Ancient Studies University.
Qi Yaoshan passed away in Taipei on February 15, 1954. His family included his elder sibling, Qi Yaolin, and younger brother, Qi Yaocheng.