In September 1907, the Guangxu Emperor promulgated a decree on the setting up of the Advisory Council, following by the provincial Consultative Bureaus in October.

[4][5][6] After the Boxer Protocol was signed in 1901, the Qing court returned to its capital of Beijing eager to reform the realm's governance.

Two months later, Yikuang, Prince Qing, recommended forming an Advisory Council to prepare for the institution of a parliament.

[7] On 6 November 1906, the Emperor issued an edict to revamp the governmental institutions, including the establishment of Advisory Council.

[8] On 20 September 1907, the Emperor appointed Pulun and Sun Jialun as joint Presidents of the council,[8] and delegated to them the writing of its charter.

In August 1908, the electoral system of the Council and the Provincial Assemblies were approved and governors of provinces were asked to hold relevant elections within a year.

The Council convened for the first time on 3 October 1910, with the President declaring it as "the unprecedented grand ceremony" in the Chinese history.

During the Railway Protection protest, the Council passed resolution against government's nationalisation plan, which was in turn rejected.

Eight days later, the Council called for replacing the cabinet of Princes and to be completely responsible with non-royals as ministers of state, which was agreed by the court.