China has had a strong history of political domination within a powerful sphere of influence. It outpaced the rest of the world in science and the arts throughout the dynastic-era until severe famine, military conquest and civil unrest struck in the 19th century. Chairman Mao established an exclusively autocratic communist system which insisted tight lifestyle restrictions over the people of China and saw the deaths of many thousands. His successor, Deng Xiaoping shifted the focus toward market-led growth which caused national living standards to rise dramatically along with newfound political freedom.
China still stands as a socialist state, headed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is a rising power in international political and economic realms and holds much sway over issues of global magnitude.