A Point-Wise History of China:

Ancient China:

• c. 7000-5000 BCE: Neolithic cultures flourish along the Yellow River valley, marked by agriculture and settled villages. Notable are the Yangshao and Longshan cultures.
• c. 2070-1600 BCE: The Xia Dynasty, shrouded in legend, is traditionally considered the first dynasty in Chinese history.
• c. 1600-1046 BCE: The Shang Dynasty emerges, marked by advanced bronze casting, a writing system, and a stratified society.
• 1046-256 BCE: The Zhou Dynasty, the longest-lasting dynasty, develops the Mandate of Heaven, justifying dynastic transitions. This era sees the rise of Confucianism and Daoism.
• 475-221 BCE: The Warring States period sees intense warfare between seven major states. This period witnesses intellectual ferment, with philosophers like Confucius, Laozi, and Mencius offering solutions to social and political problems.
• 221-206 BCE: Qin Shi Huang unifies China under the Qin Dynasty, establishing centralized rule, standardizing weights and measures, and constructing the Great Wall's early sections.

Imperial China:

• 206 BCE-220 CE: The Han Dynasty, considered a golden age, expands Chinese territory, establishes trade routes like the Silk Road, and sees advancements in art, literature, and technology.
• 220-589 CE: The Three Kingdoms period and subsequent dynasties experience fragmentation and instability. Buddhism gains traction in China.
• 581-618 CE: The Sui Dynasty reunifies China, constructs the Grand Canal, and strengthens central authority.
• 618-907 CE: The Tang Dynasty oversees another golden age marked by economic prosperity, cosmopolitan culture, and advancements in poetry, painting, and printing.
• 960-1279 CE: The Song Dynasty is known for its economic revolution, with innovations like gunpowder, the compass, and paper money. Neo-Confucianism emerges as a dominant philosophy.
• 1279-1368 CE: The Yuan Dynasty, established by Kublai Khan, sees the first foreign rule of China. The Pax Mongolica facilitates trade and cultural exchange.
• 1368-1644 CE: The Ming Dynasty overthrows the Yuan, reestablishes native rule, and undertakes ambitious maritime expeditions under Zheng He. Towards the end, internal struggles and economic decline weaken the dynasty.
• 1644-1912 CE: The Manchu-led Qing Dynasty conquers China, expanding the empire's boundaries. They face internal rebellions and external pressures, leading to a period of decline in the late 19th century.

Modern China: A Period of Upheaval and Transformation:

• 19th Century: The Qing Dynasty grapples with Western imperialism, leading to the Opium Wars (1839-42, 1856-60) and the forced signing of unequal treaties. Internal rebellions like the Taiping Rebellion (1850-64) further weaken the dynasty.
• 1911-12: The Xinhai Revolution, led by Sun Yat-sen, overthrows the Qing Dynasty, ending imperial rule and ushering in the Republic of China.
• 1912-1928: The early Republic experiences political fragmentation and warlordism.
• 1921: The Communist Party of China (CPC) is founded, advocating for a socialist revolution.
• 1927-1949: The Chinese Civil War erupts between the ruling Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT) and the CPC. The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) against Japanese invasion interrupts the civil war.
• 1949: The CPC, led by Mao Zedong, emerges victorious in the Civil War. The People's Republic of China (PRC) is established on October 1st, while the KMT flees to Taiwan.

The People’s Republic of China:

• 1949-1976: The Mao Zedong era sees land reforms, the Great Leap Forward (1958-62), and the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) – periods of radical social and economic upheaval with devastating consequences.
• 1976: Mao Zedong dies.
• 1978-present: Deng Xiaoping emerges as the paramount leader and initiates economic reforms, opening up the Chinese economy to foreign investment and transitioning from a planned economy to a "socialist market economy."
• 1989: The Tiananmen Square protests, led by students demanding democratic reforms, are brutally suppressed.
• 1997: Hong Kong returns to Chinese sovereignty after more than a century of British rule under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework.
• 1999: Macau returns to China from Portuguese administration under a similar framework.
• 21st Century: China experiences rapid economic growth, becoming the world's second-largest economy. It increases its global influence, invests heavily in infrastructure and technology, and faces criticism for its human rights record, environmental policies, and assertive foreign policy in the South China Sea and elsewhere.

Significant Leaders and Figures:

• Confucius (551-479 BCE): Philosopher and educator whose teachings profoundly influenced Chinese society, emphasizing morality, social harmony, and good governance.
• Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BCE): The First Emperor of a unified China under the Qin Dynasty, known for his ruthless unification campaigns and implementation of legalism.
• Empress Wu (624-705 CE): The only woman to rule China in her own right as the "divine ruler" of the Second Zhou Dynasty within the Tang Dynasty.
• Genghis Khan (1162-1227): Founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire who unified Mongol tribes and initiated the conquest of China.
• Kublai Khan (1215-1294): Grandson of Genghis Khan who completed the conquest of China and established the Yuan Dynasty, promoting cultural exchange and trade.
• Zheng He (1371-1433): A Hui Chinese court eunuch and admiral who led seven impressive maritime expeditions during the early Ming Dynasty, demonstrating Chinese power and facilitating trade.
• Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925): Revolutionary leader and the "Father of Modern China," who played a pivotal role in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing the Republic of China.
• Mao Zedong (1893-1976): The founding father of the People's Republic of China, leading the Communist Party to victory in the Civil War. His policies dramatically reshaped China, but also led to widespread suffering.
• Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997): Paramount leader of China after Mao Zedong, credited with initiating economic reforms that propelled China's economic rise.
• Xi Jinping (1953-present): Current paramount leader of China, holding key positions including General Secretary of the CPC and President. He has overseen China's assertive foreign policy and consolidated his power significantly.

Important Concepts:

• Mandate of Heaven: A key concept in Chinese political thought, justifying dynastic rule based on the ruler's moral legitimacy and ability to maintain peace and order.
• Confucianism: A philosophy emphasizing ethics, social harmony, filial piety, and the importance of education and good governance.
• Daoism: A philosophy emphasizing living in harmony with the "Dao" (the Way), focusing on naturalness, balance, and introspection.
• Legalism: A pragmatic political philosophy that advocates for strict laws, harsh punishments, and a strong central authority to maintain order.
• Century of Humiliation (c. 1839-1949): A period marked by China's decline, internal strife, and exploitation by foreign powers. It significantly shapes Chinese nationalism and foreign policy outlook.
• Socialism with Chinese characteristics: The official ideology of the PRC, combining elements of socialism with a market-oriented economy.

This point-wise history provides a broad overview of key events and personalities in China’s long and complex history. Each point could be expanded upon significantly, and many other important events and individuals could be included. Nevertheless, this outline provides a foundation for further exploration and understanding of this fascinating country and its enduring impact on the world.