On 8 April 1913, China’s National Assembly convened in Peking (now Beijing), marking the first time in Chinese history that a freely elected democratic parliament opened its doors.
The event followed the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912.
Although short-lived due to political instability and authoritarian resurgence, the assembly represented a significant moment in China’s struggle toward constitutional governance and modern nationhood.
