Abstract: Official historiography was an most important asset of Chinese civilization． And，while there was a monarchy which was based on the principles of Confucianism，official historiography established itself as a separate state institution． That is why its fate was not only a historical issue，but it was also a key to understanding the political practice of Chinese rulers． Of particular interest is official historiography during the late Qing． It has been assumed that by official historiography had achieved its pinnacle in the Qing and afterwards a new doctrine of history appeared to replace it. Nevertheless，reality proves that even during that most complicated period it functioned even more effectively than it had ever before． But the character official historiography experienced significant changes and more attention was focused on the challenges of modernity．