This paper provides a comprehensive analysis from the angle of military strategy of the fundamental factors contributing to the defeat of the Chinese armed fores in the Sino-Japanese War.The immediate cause of defeat should be sought in the illusion about peace cherished by Li Hongzhang and his delay in preparing for war when confronted with steady Japanese pressure.This delay resulted in China’s armed forces being thrown into a state of passivity from the very beginning of the campaign.After the declaration of the war on Japan，the Qing court failed to formulate a total strategy of army-navy coordination.The Beiyang Fleet remained inactive,failing to bring its forces into full play.While the army concentrated its forces on the northern flank,leaving Lushun and Weihaiwei with a shortage of defense forces.Moreover,the Qing defense system had become obsolete。Its armed forces lacked a sound general staff and logistics system and the professional quality of officers and men was at a low level.The above-mentioned factors,taken together,contribute to the disastrous defeat suffered by the Qing forces in the war.