As the Mongol Empire continued its relentless expansion in China during the late 13th century, the Song dynasty faced imminent collapse. In the midst of this turmoil, key remnants of the Song court found refuge in Fuzhou. It was here, far from their original capital, that they conducted the coronation ceremony for Emperor Duanzong. Weighing heavily on the minds of the Song officials was the need to inspire hope among their supporters and to project an image of continuity despite the immediate threats to their regime. The young Emperor, then only a child, was seen as a symbolic figure of imperial authority and resistance against the Mongol forces. The ceremony, rich in traditional rites and rituals, was attended by notable officials who swore fealty to the new emperor, hoping to fortify their resolve against their foreign adversaries.

The coronation, although largely ceremonial and lacking the practical power of a fully functioning government, represented a critical moment for the remaining Song loyalists. It was an act of cultural preservation amid the encroaching dominance of the Mongols, reaffirming their identity in a period marked by upheaval and uncertainty. The ceremony was designed not only to legitimize the young emperor's status but to unify the remnants of the Song political structure in their shared struggle for survival against Mongol rule. Following the coronation, the court continued to operate from Fuzhou as they sought refuge in the rugged terrain of Southern China, determined to resist Mongol advances.