Abstract: “New people” is the core of a series of new ideas advocated by Liang Qichao (1873-1929) to emphasize the importance of spirit of the nation and the time to the survival and development of a nation. Liang hoped to introduce the ideology and culture of the West and Japan to evoke the progressive and pioneering elements in traditional Chinese culture. He highly praised the modern political ideal and scientific spirit above all other schools of philosophy. The “new novels” advocated by Liang embodied the urgent desire of the Chinese people to replace the backward society with an ideal one. A close look at these “new novels” reveals rich information contained within, such as transformation of thinking, nature of spirit of the time, courage, and the spirit to abandon the old for the new. “New novels” arguably broke through the old connotation of traditional literature and created a new world of literature.

Key words: Liang Qichao (1873-1929), new novel, national spirit, spirit of the time