Abstract: In the ten years before the Reform Movement of 1898, Kang Youwei devoted himself to exploring the “academic origins” of Chinese local culture, focusing on the pre-Qin scholars.Although Kang Youwei mentioned few figures from the Han and Tang Dynasties,he paid more attention to Dong Zhongshu.In fact,Kang Youwei not only talked about Dong Zhongshu many times,but also elaborated Dong Zhongshus thoughts in Dongs Studies on The Spring and Autumn Annals.Kang Youweis expounding of Dong Zhongshus thought seems to admire Dong Zhongshu,but in fact it is a small talk to exert Confucius thought with the help of The Spring and Autumn Annals.It is for this reason that Kang Youweis elucidation of Dong Zhongshus thought is helpful to grasp Kang Youweis examination and evaluation of Dong Zhongshu as a whole,and to understand Kang Youweis view of Confucianism and Dong Zhongshus historical destiny in modern philosophy.

Key words: Kang Youwei, Dong Zhongshu, thought elucidation, philosophy of modern times