463-word version:
As a student who has lived and studied in China for more than 15 years, I have come to realize that China and I share characteristics common to both of us. China was once divided into ten dominions, five of which were recognized for their distinctive characteristics...

557-word version:
As a student who has lived and studied in China for more than 15 years, I have come to realize that China and I share characteristics common to both of us. China is a country that is rapidly developing today but was once divided into ten dominions, five of which were recognized for their distinctive characteristics...

567-word version:
...China, a colossal country that is rapidly developing today, was once divided into ten disparate dominions—Wu, Wuyue, Min, Chu, Southern Han, Former Shu, Latter Shu, Jingnan, Southern Tang, and Northern Han—and each had its own distinct attributes, strengths, and weaknesses...

570-word version:
...As a student who has lived and studied in China for more than 15 years, I have come to realize that China and I share characteristics common to both of us. China was once divided into ten dominions, five of which were recognized for their distinctive characteristics...

674-word version:
As a student who has lived and studied in China for more than 15 years, I have come to realize that China and I share characteristics common to both of us. China is a country that is rapidly developing today but was once divided into ten dominions, five of which were recognized for their distinctive characteristics...