Son of Heaven. Ruler of the Whole World. Lord of 10,000 Years. Some of the titles Chinese emperors have held throughout history. The last imperial monarch abdicatedGive up the throne. in 1912. Today, China is ruled by the Communist Party. At its head, one man: President Xi Jinping.

Now, the party will approve Xi's plan to govern for another five years. He will be the longest-serving president since the party's founder, Mao ZedongA revolutionary leader, also known as Chairman Mao, who ruled China as head of the Communist Party from 1949 until 1976.. Xi is known as the "great helmsman", steering the ship of state. He may now be in control for life.

China is the most populous country and has the second-largest economy. Business magazine Forbes ranks Xi as the world's most powerful person. In China, he is portrayed as a man of the people, with almost supernatural powers of wisdom and foresight.¹

Xi has a captivating 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, reading and thinking, and learning how to plant crops and keep livestock.

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. His father was jailed during one of Chairman Mao's infamous political purges.

Xi is often compared to Mao. But sinologistsPeople who study China, including its society, language, literature and history. believe 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 gratitude and respect to the "Celestial Empire".

Experts say this is the idea behind the Belt and Road Initiative, a project to build infrastructure in some of the world's poorest countries. Ports and power stations, roads and bridges, in return for political support. Analyst Michael Sobolik says this is China's belief in its own "civilisational greatness".

Xi talks about a Chinese Dream - the rebirth of the nation. Many say he has created a nightmare. "The future is bright for Xi Jinping," says expert Steve Tsang, "and dark for everybody else." China has over half of the world's CCTV. 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 to Xi's Covid-19 restrictions is growing. Last week, banners unfurled from a bridge in Beijing called for Xi's removal: "We want to be citizens, not slaves."

Police quickly removed the protest and denied anything unusual had happened in the area. But on Friday, people shared a message on social media in defiance of state censorship: "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 dictatorship, not a hereditary 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.

Abdicated - Give up the throne.

Mao Zedong - A revolutionary leader, also known as Chairman Mao, who ruled China as head of the Communist Party from 1949 until 1976.

Sinologists - People who study China, including its society, language, literature and history.

Communist - An 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.

Silk Road - A network of Eurasian trade routes linking China to the West, running from the second century BC to the 15th Century AD.