Answer:
1) China had an emperor/empress, which is commonly used to refer to a ruler of an empire.
2) The land in which the chinese empire govern rivals that of Rome, Persia, and other well-known 'empires' of Europe.
3) China had established and secure borders, well-developed literature and writings, a national currency that was used throughout it's land, a large standing army, taxes on both currency, trade, products, and wealth.
4) China had established trade with other civilizations.
etc.