The 'Three Great Powers' which make up the Philosophers include CHINA?

In MGS3, we are told that the original group which made up the Philosophers in the early 20th century were "The Three Great Powers": USA, Soviet Union, and China.

But China was never a great power in the early 20th century. Up until 1911, China was nominally ruled by the weak Qing dynasty but in reality was semi colonized by the European Powers which controlled spheres of influence in the country.

In 1912, the Qing was overthrown, and China was controlled by the Republic of China, but remained weak due to fighting between various warlords, Civil War with the Communists, and eventual invasion by the Japanese during the first half of the 20th century. Then in 1949, the Communists took over. There's no way China was a great power during the time of the Philosophers.

I also want to know WHO were the Philosophers in China? Volgin mentions that the Republic of China (Nationalist/Non-Communist) was part of the triple alliance, but later, EVA mentions that she is working for People's Republic of China (Communists), where the Philosophers still exist. You would think that when the Communists took over in 1949, the would have done away with the ROC Philosophers, their enemies. What happened to the Chinese Philosophers in 1949?