How can one make China into a peace loving democracy by 2018, with Japan like OTL China-a superpower dictatorship that is somewhat aggressive on the world stage, but not enough to start WW3?
IOTL, Japan and China have started 19th century in very similar manner. The main difference was what Chinese were unable to thwart Portugese and English opium dealers, while Japan managed to forbid opium imports. Reverse the opium trade routes, and you will largely swap international roles of China and Japan.
It require POD around 1800 AD though.