Did the concept of separation of power exist in dynasty China? I wrote this in quora The separation of the power came from congress. Congress came from the meeting of the Nobles refused to pay tax. Old China can't have congress. Here is why. 5 administration is a greater tool to control the empire. This 5 administration work together, all under the emperor's control, in any aspects they were like any congress, president, court. The power in China gets more centered. Take a look at west. The separation of power of the king was forced by Nobel. Sui dynasty has something that was really genius. To shut down all the nobles. Because Sui invented Keju，科举. An exam nationale wide. Just like Sat in USA, Bac in France, Gaokao in modern China. I think, this is one of the most greatest inventions of human history! Who can or can not be an officer, no longer depending on their blood, instead, depending on their knowledge, their IQ and EQ. The emperor don't have to worry about the rebel of the Nobles anymore, this Kuju had solve the problems infinitely. The government don't need nobles anymore. The normal people can built relationship with the top. It is fair. But it has consequence. One of the consequence is people become less rebelled. Because, have more hope, if they want to archive something, they have work them government, not against it, not working for some Nobles. Because Nobles can't hold powers ,so the birth of congress seems impossible. The separation of the power is even more so. So the power gets more and more centered in China, meanwhile, the Nobles in the west fight braver and braver.