Final answer:
China's political structures are characterized by the CCP's control over the government, resulting in an authoritarian state, and its diverse administrative divisions including autonomous regions, municipalities, and SARs with varying degrees of autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two important points to remember about China's political structures are its party-led governance and its unique administrative divisions. Firstly, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) retains a monopoly on political power, dictating government policy and assuring its dominance through the country's constitution. This creates an authoritarian state with significant restrictions on freedoms such as the internet, press, and assembly, contrasting sharply with Western democracies.
Secondly, China's administrative divisions include autonomous regions, municipalities, and special administrative regions (SARs). These units can have significant levels of autonomy, as seen in the examples of Hong Kong and Macau which operate under the "one country, two systems" policy. Major cities like Beijing and Shanghai are categorized as municipalities and function similarly to provinces in governance scope, including rural areas and smaller towns within their jurisdiction.