Why has China been such an advanced society for so long? Throughout its history, China has been at the center of many developments that have allowed it to establish itself as an advanced society, which has gone through a number of dynastic cycles, and attempted creation of a Republic, and always existing, of the People's Republic of China, under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party. Throughout this turbulent history, China has made many advances despite its setbacks and has allowed itself to grow enormously and increase its stature, making it one of the world's great powers. Although most of China's history can be analyzed through its long periods of dynastic rule, the best way to view China in terms of an advanced and prosperous society is to analyze its transformation under the Ming dynasty, the Qing dynasty and the formation of what is now known as modern China. At the height of its reign, the Ming dynasty had a population of between 160 million (Fairbank, 128) and 200 million (Ebrey, Cambridge Illustrated History of China, 197). In order to maintain strong control over the region, the Ming oversaw a large number of military forces, which allowed them to operate forcefully on land and sea." Ebrey et al., East Asia, 271). renovation, development, legal, military and police took place during the reign of the Hongwu Emperor. The new revised law code that was created, the Daming Lu, was designed around Confucian principles and repealed certain clauses adopted. under previous dynasties (Autocracy and China's Rebel Founding Emperors: Comparison of Chairman Mao and Ming Taizu) This continued revision of the law and commitment to Confucian ideals, principles, and beliefs helps demonstrate a middle... .... middle of paper .......Liu, Kwang-Ching. The Cambridge History of China Vol. 11: Late Ch'ing, 1800-1911, Part 2. By John K. Fairbank. . Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1980. Print. Moore, Malcolm. Telegraph Media Group, March 13, 2013. Web. April 1, 2014. .Myers, Ramon H. and Yeh-Chien Wang. “Economic Developments, 1644-1800.” The Ch'ing Empire circa 1800. By Peterson Willard. Print.Poon, Léon. "The People's Republic of China: IV." History of China. Print.Rowe, William T. “Social Stability and Social Change.” The Cambridge History of China. Flight. 9, Part 1: The Ch'ing Empire to 1800. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2002. Print.White, Matthew. “Atlas of the Twentieth Century – Death Toll.” Atlas of the Twentieth Century - Death toll. November 2005. Web. April 6. 2014.