ABSTRACT
The Republic of China Era (AD 1912-AD 1949) saw the transformation of the modern Chinese nation state, bringing it from its infancy to maturity. Sport played an important part in this process of change, supporting and facilitating the rise of a republic from the ashes of the Qing Empire. During this period, sport contributed to the shaping of a national consciousness among the Chinese people and consolidated the unity of the newly established nation state. It became an essential part of the strategies of Chinese nationalists, politicians and educationalists aimed at achieving national salvation and revival.
