Not that I like to step on other peoples' nodes, but Chung Kuo (an outdated spelling of a Chinese term meaning "Middle Kingdom") is actually an endless series series of Science Fiction novels by David Wingrove. Although it definitely falls prey to Wharfinger's Law of Diminishing SF Sequels1, and plot lacunae tell us a bit about Mr. Wingrove, it is nonetheless enthralling, and I would give the series an overall rating of * * * .

The novels are:

The Middle Kingdom
The Broken Wheel
The White Mountain
The Stone Within
Beneath The Tree of Heaven
White Moon, Red Dragon
Days of Bitter Strength
Marriage of the Living Dark (I have not read this one.)

Although it is essentially a single narrative, the first few novels stand on their own. You need to have read the first three to understand the last ones.
1but nowhere nearly as badly as, say, The Wheel of Time.