The Chinese are very aware of their history and much has been written recently about them establishing a new Silk Road based on solar influence.
For example a paper from 2011: Climate patterns in north central China during the last 1800 yr and their possible driving force
The follow graph aligns with dynastic collapse and solar minimum:
The modern communist elite may understand the tradition of the Mandate of Heaven, however they may be far more practical in their understanding of economics. Basically, you can print money. They will not be able to print more food. That makes them especially dangerous over the coming years.
The Mandate of Heaven is interesting and may explain their aggressive posturing today.