TFA says:
"For decades, the Chinese government’s top priority has been the preservation of social stability."
It should say: "For millenia, the Chinese government’s top priority has been the preservation of social stability."
It should say: "For millenia, the Chinese government’s top priority has been the preservation of social stability."
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Chinese_history
All nations sell the idea that has longer histories that they really have. The concept of nation is a useful improvement over tribalism and city-states. But, it is just fiction. Nations are created, changed and destroyed all the time.
So, you are completely right about China being largely a myth.