Abstract:

he Beijing Coup in November，1861，started the political pattern that the two dowager empresses attended to state
affairs and Prince Gong (Yi Xin ) complemented the policy. After assumed power，Yi Xin put Zeng Guofan，Li Hongzhang
and other officers from Han nationality in the important positions. The power of inspectors were strengthened，which led to the
downward movement of central power，and thus the consequence of“inspectors holding the power of local reign actually”.
Yi Xin also advocated the Westernization Movement which contributed to the formation of modern industry and capitalism in
China. The improvement of relationship between Qing government and foreign countries enabled the suppression of the Taiping
Movement. The establishment of Foreign Affairs Ministery and Embassies changed the traditional self-centered diplomatic
concept of China，which marked the beginning of the Chinese modern diplomacy.

Key words: Beijing Coup, Yi Xin, late Qing government, two dowager empresses attending to state affairs, the Westernization
Movement