In geo-economic terms China is vast and varied, so much so that it is inherently vulnerable to centrifugal regionalism. To date, the Mainland has been unified only under a strong centripetal regime and disunified otherwise. That's a fact.
It's also true that there's no political elixir of life to count on. Looking back, every single dynasty ended with either a bang or a whimper, making way for the next episode of this long-running historical drama known as the Dynastic Cycle.
Looking ahead, will a federation of truly self-governing provinces work for China?＊
原创平水韵七绝
兴亡再顾雨花台，六代金陵一曲哀。
怜有清风能识字，频吹笺纸索诗来。
……
In geo-economic terms China is vast and varied, so much so that it is inherently vulnerable to centrifugal regionalism. To date, the Mainland has been unified only under a strong centripetal regime and disunified otherwise. That's a fact.
It's also true that there's no political elixir of life to count on. Looking back, every single dynasty ended with either a bang or a whimper, making way for the next episode of this long-running historical drama known as the Dynastic Cycle.
Looking ahead, will a federation of truly self-governing provinces work for China?＊
Author: Ren Qiulan
……
＊严家祺：从「元历史」看中国和世界未来——21世纪「联邦中国」新构想 (2.27.23)