A lesson from the Boxer War Why do we need to change? On 29 January 1901,when the Throne was still in Xian,Cixi and Guangxu issued a joint edict,marking the initiation of the New Policy: The weakness of China is caused by the strength of convention and the rigid network of regulations... The government official exchange numerous documents but they never touch reality.The appointment of capable men is restricted by regulations so rigid that even men of exceptional talent are missed.What mislead the country can be expressed in one word,selfishness,and what suffocates all under heaven is precedent.A lesson from the Boxer War Why do we need to change? On 29 January 1901, when the Throne was still in Xian, Cixi and Guangxu issued a joint edict, marking the initiation of the New Policy: The weakness of China is caused by the strength of convention and the rigid network of regulations… The government official exchange numerous documents but they never touch reality. The appointment of capable men is restricted by regulations so rigid that even men of exceptional talent are missed. What mislead the country can be expressed in one word, selfishness, and what suffocates all under heaven is precedent