if I've had to choose between dictator in China and dictator in US, it would be easy choice, at least one of them seems mentally sane

the reason why I left China after living there for years was for sure not politics or who is top military leader

I find the Chinese political system very interesting. I read somewhere that, in order to run for any position, you need to have taken a role below that, so you'll never lead the executive branch as your first job just because you are very popular.

Would you mind detailing how it works a little bit more? This "onboarding path" seems to be part of the "secret sauce" that keeps the policies consistent over time.