In modern times

profound changes have taken place

which are called centennial or even millennial changes

including the major change in the late Qing Dynasty

the major change in the early Republic of China and the "unprecedented centennial change we are currently experiencing. Through these three major changes

the world situation

China’s international status and external challenges have also undergone profound changes: the world order has broken away from each-country-minding-its-own-business mode

to the nations-standing-side-by-side mode

and then to the bipolar system after World War II. The world hegemon has changed from the UK during the major change in the late Qing Dynasty

to the United States

the "world leader" after World War II

and then to the current reshaping of international order in the unprecedented centennial change right now. The focus of international relations has changed from geographical discovery to the pursuit of hegemony in global oceans in the late Qing Dynasty

to the Atlantic Ocean as the center since the Republic of China

and to the now Pacific Ocean as the key area. In the major change in the late Qing Dynasty

China fell from a great power to a poor and weak country bullied by big powers. In the major change in the early Republic of China

China became a victorious country in World War I. However

due to the lack of national strength

interests of defeated Germany in China were transferred to Japan by the Paris Peace Treaty. After the long anti-Japanese war from 1931 to 1945

China’s international status was improved. After long-term efforts

China is increasingly approaching the center of the world stage in the current centennial change. Change of China’s external challenges: in the major change in the late Qing Dynasty

China’s farming civilization encountered a more advanced Western industrial civilization

and was invaded by many imperialist countries at the same time

facing strong enemies not seen for thousands of years. Modern pioneers advocate adapting to the general trend of the times and making changes to communicate between the past and the present

adapting to the world trend and open up to communicate with foreign countries

and transforming to connect the old with the new to address new challenges. In modern times

China’s development path has also undergone three transformations: from imitating Western principles to "taking the Russian road"

and then to "taking China’s own road". The three major changes have witnessed the historical process of the Chinese nation and civilization regaining self-confidence from its declining past

and then stepping towards its great rejuvenation.