Chinese are plenty powerful in late imperial. They are not first tier, (Turks, Koreans, Persians,) and they are perhaps not even second tier, (Mongols, Celts, Saracens, Teutons, Spanish,) But they are at least third tier, or perhaps 2.5 tier.
They get BBTs, super scorpions, chu ko nu, (POWERFUL when massed,) FU trash except hussar, perfect champions to counter trash, and cheaper technologies. Their only real weakness is siege onagers. While not as powerful as some others in imperial, they are more powerful than the likes of Aztecs, Britons, Japanese, or Vikings, to name a few.
They get BBTs, super scorpions, chu ko nu, (POWERFUL when massed,) FU trash except hussar, perfect champions to counter trash, and cheaper technologies. Their only real weakness is siege onagers. While not as powerful as some others in imperial, they are more powerful than the likes of Aztecs, Britons, Japanese, or Vikings, to name a few.