Very few countries have absolute monarchies these days. I think only a few middle east states and maybe some in Africa.

Interesting question. I have read a few books about the last emperor Pu Yi. He certainly had an interesting life.

I don't think an absolute Monarchy in China would have survived the 20th century. If they had survived to have absolute rule I think the country would have fragmented. As methods of communication improved through the 20th century there is no way an absolute ruler could have held control.

There would have been a revolution of some sort.

No since Confucian thoughts and values are the problem. Not the leadership.

The reason why Japan became the only great power in East Asia until recently was because they got rid on Confucianism following the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century.

Japanese became able to question themselves and their own values as well to admit that other cultures, other countries could be better than them. They then worked hard to improve themselves as to surpass other countries, it was the beginning of Japanese imperialism. Nowadays Chinese still have some problems to admit that China is not the center of the world, and they see no reason to improve themselves as they think that they are already the best in everything.

In the 1950s, no one thought that Confucian South Korea could ever become a great power. Its people loved gambling, showing off and having fake status, just like Chinese nowadays. It was only after they got rid of Confucian thoughts that they were able to become what they are now, through hard working and not guanxi. China only has a big population, it is a profoundly inefficient society.

If my aunt had a pair she'd be my uncle... you know...

Ok I'll play. Maybe the inner regions would be separated in several medium sized poor countries no one cares about, then the coastal areas would be say two smallish but wealthy countries with Beijing/Shanghai on the north and Greater Canton on the south, possibly attached to Guangxi. The rest be rural areas/countries feeding the coast. None of which would be close to be a superpower but maybe a financial center or two.

I don't know, I'm just saying that at random.