康有为作为戊戌变法核心人物和维新运动领袖的历史地位是不容怀疑的，因为他对主持戊戌变法的光绪皇帝有决定性影响，正是在他的影响下，变法有了比较明确的发展方向，即以日本明治维新为法，并使变法围绕开制度局这一改变专制政体的政治改革开展下去，从而使从洋务运动开始的改革运动进入政治层面，并具有了比较鲜明的资产阶级色彩。

As the core figure of the Reform Movement of 1898, the historic position of Kang Youwei is indisputable, because Kang was the decisive influence on Emperor Guangxu, who presided over the Reform. Under Kang’s influence, the Reform movement followed the example of Meiji Japan’s reform and established the Government Administration Bureau (zhidu ju) which had the potential to eliminate autocratic rule in China. Thus reform, which began with the limited goals of Self-strengthening Movement, progressed into the realm of political reform with distinct bourgeoisie characteristics.