It is generally assumed by Western writers that each province in China is self-governed, and that the provincial authorities act independently and in defiance of the injunctions of the Peking Government.

The facts, however, are that until the establishment of the Republic, all the officials in the Provinces were appointed or sanctioned by the Peking Government, and that by an Imperial decree even a Viceroy or Governor could, at any moment, be changed or dismissed, and that no important matter could be transacted without the Imperial sanction.
How does this compare with the states in America?
Every American boasts that his state is independent of the Federal Government.

All officials, from the Governor downward, are, in every state, elected by the people.

Each state is provided with a Legislature consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives, also elected by the popular vote.

The state has very large, and almost absolute, legislative and executive powers, and is competent to deal with all matters not reserved by the Constitution for the Federal Government.