One thing that bugs me about China...

[sukritact]

Leaders are seriously just figureheads.

Not entirely, Ramkhamhaeng's UA is aimed at him specifically.

 

[CultureManiac]

Chinese history not only reflects many great scientific acheivements, it is also filled with warfare as much - no probably more so - than any nation on earth. There's rarely a span of more than a couple hundred years in it's 4,000-year plus history that didn't have some kind of rebellion or overthrow of a dynasty. Sun Tzu, Genghis Khan and yes, even Mao, were great military leaders that the West is familiar with, but the history of the country is littered with dozens, or even hundreds of great leaders and generals.

The Chinese civ, balancing warfare with science (through the Paper Maker), seems a really accurate reflection of the nation's past.

And I'm not just saying that because I live in it's current capital, past capital and the one we use in CIV.