Introduction to the Blue China Salon: Although the Blue China Salon is decorated in the 19th century, it uses high-end wallpaper imported from China in the 18th century. On November 11, 1918, in this hall, the last emperor of Austria, Karl I, a grandnephew of Franz Joseph, signed a declaration to withdraw from the government and give up administrative rights. The next day, the Austrian Republic was proclaimed, and more than 600 years of Habsburg rule came to an end. In 1922, the 35-year-old Karl died of illness on the Portuguese island of Madeira. His wife Chida died in 1989 and was buried as the last queen of Austria in the Royal Mausoleum in the First District of Vienna.