The Qing court's first batch of government-sponsored students went to America in 1872, whereas Japan's first batch went to the Netherlands in 1862.
Among the Qing court's 120 government-sponsored students: 30 were engaged in mining, railroads, and telegraphy, including 9 mining managers, 6 engineers, and 3 railroad directors; 5 were in the field of education; 24 in diplomatic administration; 7 in commerce; and 20 entered the navy.
Ito Hirobumi studied abroad in England in 1863. Essentially, anyone in a high-level position during the Meiji Period had a study abroad background.
Without comparison, there is no harm. While Japan's students were dazzling, the Qing court's students were disheartened and melancholy.
This isn't to say the Qing court was entirely incompetent—rather, its situation was characterized by the opposition of two ethnic groups, with the philosophy of "those not of our race must be of a different heart."
