As to the People’s Republic of China, the rulers of China have always governed so long as they enjoyed the Mandate of Heaven. When they lost that, they fell from power and, after a period of chaos, new rulers came forth who did have that mandate.

The Confucian priestly class’s job was to help the ruler keep that mandate by advice and administration. The people wanted that stability since chaos killed .

Today, the Communists apparently have that mandate, thanks to the Pax Americana, which has been very good to them and the people of China. Destroy American hegemony and China will likely see hard times. Then the Communists will have to prove their mettle.