Chinese emperors were called the Sons of Heaven. The last one gave up power in 1912. Today, China is ruled by the Communist Party. At its head, one man: President Xi Jinping.

He is known as the "great helmsman", steering the ship of state. The latest decision means he may now be in control for life.

President Xi is in charge of the world's second-largest economy. He is portrayed as a man of the people, with almost supernatural powers of wisdom and foresight.¹

Xi has a fascinating origin story. Aged 15, he lived as a peasant farmer as part of the Cultural Revolution.² For seven years, he lived in a cave, doing back-breaking labour.

But this is only part of the story. Xi was a "princeling", a child of a top party official. Educated at an elite boarding school, he lived in "immense privilege", says China expert Sue-Lin Wong.

Xi is compared to Chairman MaoA revolutionary leader who ruled China as head of the Communist Party from 1949 until 1976. His full name was Mao Zedong. . But experts say he is more like a traditional emperor than a revolutionary communistAn economic system entailing collective ownership of all means of production in contrast with capitalism, which holds that industry and businesses are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by the government.. His ambition is limitless. "Five thousand years of the Chinese nation," says Xi, gives China the "indisputable" right to rule the world.

Imperial China used trade to control other states. It exported luxuries like tea and porcelain along the Silk RoadA network of Eurasian trade routes linking China to the West, running from the second century BC to the 15th Century AD. . Other nations were "barbarians" that had to show respect to the "Celestial Empire".

Experts say this is the idea behind the Belt and Road Initiative, a project to build seaports, roads and railways in some of the world's poorest countries. Michael Sobolik says this is China's belief in its own "greatness".

Xi talks about a "Chinese Dream", but many say he has created a nightmare. "The future is bright for Xi Jinping," says expert Steve Tsang, "and dark for everybody else." Political freedom is limited. Internet use is tightly controlled by a "Great Firewall" of digital surveillance.

China is not as powerful as it looks, says writer Michael Schuman. Economic growth has slowed. Opposition is growing. Last week, banners dropped from a bridge called for Xi's removal: "We want to be citizens, not slaves".

Police quickly removed the protest. But on Friday, people shared a message on social media: "I saw it, we all saw it".

What happens next will affect everyone. "The world's future," says writer Charlie Campbell, "is in the hands of President Xi."

Yes: China has replaced the United States as the most powerful superpower. Xi has no real opposition at home. His new "Silk Road" extends to 68 countries and affects over half the world's population.

No: China is a Communist dictatorshipA form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits. , not a hereditarySomething which is passed from parent to child. monarchy. Emperors had divine authority and limitless power. President Xi is appointed by a party and must work within a constitution.

Or... Leadership and empire are not the same. China may be able to control its own citizens and influence foreign governments. But leadership involves shared values, cooperation and a common purpose.