The primary reason for China's loss in the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 was that China’s military was no match for Japan’s superior naval forces. Japan had undergone significant modernization and military reforms during the Meiji Restoration, which allowed it to build a highly modern navy and army. In contrast, China's military was still largely outdated and poorly organized, suffering from corruption and inefficiency.
While there were other factors such as internal discontent and a lack of popular support for the war, the technological and strategic superiority of the Japanese forces played a crucial role in China's defeat. The war resulted in a decisive victory for Japan, which further demonstrated China's weakening position as a regional power at that time.
The other options, while relevant to the broader context, do not accurately capture the primary reasons for China's defeat in this specific conflict.