Celestial Ascendance

In this timeline, China becomes the leading world power, with the rest of Asia following. In 221 BC the first unified Chinese Empire, the Qin Dynasty was established by Chao Cheng, who came to be known as Qin Shi Huang. His dynasty was to last for 10,000 generations, ironically his dynasty didn't last very long and his incompetent son led the dynasty to its collapse. Many emperors ruled China in the following centuries, in which China had her ups and downs. Many centuries later, in 660 AD Wu Zetian, wife of the late Emperor Gaozong of Tang, ascends the throne herself and is crowned first empress regnant in China's history under the newly established Zhou Dynasty. A strong willed, and determined woman, she leads China into a new golden age. Introducing equality for women, China rapidly becomes even more prosperous. Empress Wu manages to conquer new lands for China, conquering Tibet, Mongolia, much of Central Asia and Korea. Upon her death, China has become a stable and unstoppable nation, Wu Zetian's dynasty would lead China into the fellowing centuries. When the Mongols unify under Temujin, China rapidly defeats them and squashes the attempt to establish an empire. The Mongols are defeated and permanently subdued, with nothing in China's way, they have become the single leading world power and are the most powerful and influential civilization in the history of the world. China remains the leading superpower in the 21st century, followed by the Khmer Empire, India, Persia, Egypt and the Native States of Sinica. In Europe, the nations have easternized, but have a relatively small influence on the world, with the exception of the Norse Empire, Alexandrian Empire and Burgundy. The timeline focuses on China and Asia, but also exploring Sinica, Africa and Europe.